Talk on the Street
#61. “Twelve phrases with twelve faces”
Each face was created based on the words that were spoken and my impression of their meaning.
#40. “Oh daddy if you were God you could Help me, but you’re not”
Over heard from the front window of my house on a summer day, with the windows open. I didn’t see them as they passed by my window. I heard a young boy’s voice say to his father, “Oh daddy if you were God you could help me but you’re not.” I considered myself so lucky to be sitting by the window at that exact moment.
#56. “Can you see the end of the earth”
Over heard walking past a group of people on the street. I tried to imagine what that might look like. The major stone figure has a head with eyes looking upward from the top of his head and a gapping mouth wide open to the right. The thin ghost like figure on the right is a spirit and the clear dark blue sky suggests water.
#5. “Are you listening to me…is anyone listening to me…sometimes I
think I’m talking gibberish”
A man was walking across the street from where I stood, as I overheard these words. He happened to be with a group of people as he spoke. I never look at the people when I decide to record what I have heard. I recall much anxiety in his voice and don’t recall anyone answering.
#9. “I like the smell of water”
I loved hearing these particular words, as I couldn’t agree more. I hope that my interpretation of something I love so much shows.
“60 Phrases Heard On the Street”
Within one year’s time, I discovered, and collected the following 60
phrases, spoken by total strangers. I overheard each phrase by chance, as
I wondered throughout the city, during my regular walks.
All phrases were random and unexpected. I recorded anything that I
overheard that suggested our humanity and connection with one another.
It was only a year’s time; yet I learned something about myself and others
throughout this process. I continue to try to understand and appreciate
whatever I hear and see, and witness everyday. This experience as a
“recorder” of sorts has shown me that even mere bits and pieces of our
human interactions and connections with one another are vast, fragile and
precious.
1. Are you doing something or are you listening to me
2. How old is she…the dog…no your mother-in-law
3. Trade seventy, eighty a share
4. It is what it is
5. “Are you listening to me…is anyone listening to me…sometimes I
think I’m talking gibberish”
6. Don’t worry what time you get there…it doesn’t matter…he’ll be sloshed by the time you come any way
7. If that’s the way you want it, that’s o.k. but don’t be rude
8. So when I came home she was packing her things
9. I like the smell of water
10. If its your step-mother write her off
11. This lady takes our passports and disappears
12. Come on…come on
13. Today I had my first flat tire
14. I have it on my phone if you care
15. If I were in a different culture
16. What’s wrong with you…dog’s response ??
17. Take her for a minute, please
18. I gained ten pounds
19. Very fresh, from the mill you know
20. Oh he just puts a tie on and when he gets in there a minute its off
21. Service to Second and Lombard
22. I was like are you calling me…are you calling my home
23. When we go to Starbucks I always get like cafe mocha
24. That was premature
25. I’m saying you could wear this as a dress by itself…you don’t need a skirt
26. She’s a nice girl and everything…yeah I feel so bad
27. We’ll have the whole thing laid out
28. Hey you got a little change how you doing
29. Hey…another penny
30. I need to practice
31. Ice cold water one dollar
32. Look there’s daddy
33. If you did it you would be fired…if we did it nothing would happen
34. I’m calling to tell you that I love you
35. Give me your hand…please give me your hand
36. Terrible…I left crying
37. Wait…back up…what are you
38. What do you want to do dude there’s no where to go
39. I want you to make your own decisions…I don’t want to force my opinions on you
40. Oh daddy if you were God you could help me but you’re not
41. That’s what makes me happy that first sip
42. I want to be six feet tall
43. I find it very exhausting
44. It’s not that I don’t fit in, but
45. Let’s talk about Iceland, we have to start planning
46. Yoooooooooo
47. Mommy be careful
48. It’s the same as being on drugs
49. I couldn’t turn it off
50. Homeless and hungry anything helps
51. You’re ten years old, no way
52. A glass of wine?…when you work retail
53. You overwhelm me…you are brilliant but you’re so fucked up
54. I’m like so much smarter than these people
55. There’s a lot of dead people you know what I mean
56. Can you see the end of the earth
57. Same price all the same, on the top, underneath, on the sides…
58. Collard greens tomatoes onions talk to me talk to me
59. She won’t get in line…she could be home by now…she comes in here every day and I keep telling her you have to
get in line…maybe they don’t do that where they came from
60. No I won’t I won’t do that