One week has passed since having completed this project at Queens Nails Annex, and I still have not reverted back to my normal way of life.  Relax, this is a good thing.  It's actually one of those things you strive for as an artist, where the work actually affects you as much as you would like for it to affect other people.

The entire process was brilliant.  I could not have asked for a more supportive or professional group of people to have collaborated on this project with me.  A big thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.  IT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YOU!

While I was living under house arrest in the street-level front gallery of Queen's Nails Annex, I wrote brief daily reflections on my experiences and placed them in the window for people to read.  I posted them alongside a sign with quote by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in regard to the work.  I post these same items here for your pleasure.

Be well and enjoy.


THE LAST AMERICAN ICON

[emael's] outstanding professional achievement, The Last American Icon
clearly communicates the human value of harmony and integrity that San
Francisco strives to inspire in the world.

~ San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom


SATURDAY JULY 6th - WEDNESDAY JULY 11th

PERFORMANCES NIGHTLY FROM 8PM.
open space/mic to follow.


friday>>>july 6, 2007

gps> global positioning system.

i am presently on voluntary house arrest at queens nails annex. the stress of the install is over.  i have developed a strange way of walking in only 12 hours of wearing the gps anklet.  it is 2 am and i have not gone to bed for two reasons.  1. writing these words.  2.  i am recharging the gps anklet.  you literally have to connect it to an outlet through an extension cord.

a white stretch limo just passed my window moments after my friend iraya robles strolled by after leaving the club.  i wonder if the limo people were as interested as iraya and friends or as disinterested as everyone else passing by at this hour.  i want to go to bed. how soon is now?  i am again reminded of morrissey/the smiths. i am presently listening to natacha atlas. my friend trilce santana left her dj equipment so i can plan/play to my heart's content.  so what is the core of my work?  is it to simply be the best living artist in the world today, or, do i simply use my art as an opportunity to hang out with my friends.  i do it for both reasons, and as much as i have accomplished by now, it is simply not enough.  i want more.

the evening was incredible. really. my capricorn tendencies simply can get in the way sometimes.  it was beautiful, magical.  thank you to those who made it possible.  i love you.


saturday>>>july 7, 2007

there is always a question of how public you want your private life to be.  i sit in here knowing that there is a certain immediacy to these words. they will be written.  they will be printed. they will be placed in the gallery window in order to be shared with passersby.  will this project be understood?  will people care about this in the moment, or will they have to wait until someone else legitimizes the work for them?  how would that be for irony?  i would rather people understand the value of the work in the moment; this would mean so much more.

life on display.  the idea makes me consider how safe it is to create work in one place, then turn around and release it into the world isolated from the actual experiencing of it.  i can understand the allure of such a model. why? this project makes me feel vulnerable on every level.  not only is it difficult to define what my goals are for the work, but the mere act of living/presenting art in such a manner leaves little space for anything else.  although the outcome of being on house arrest for art is unclear, i have committed myself wholeheartedly to the project with the hope i will have learned how to make the world a better place.  how is that for breaking with the stereotypes of what it means to be an important and vital artist living today?  are people ready for what's to come?  are people ready to embrace an artist seeking a meaningful way to be in the world?  there is nothing to fear here, only a great opportunity to learn from one another.  is there anything standing in our way?


sunday>>>july 8, 2007

this is my third evening sleeping in the gallery.  it is funny.  people are starting to bring their friends by to check out the artist on house arrest.  what would be really cool is if they dared to stroll into the gallery.  this would be great.  in any case, i am happy to see that people are talking about what i am doing.  may it reach the ears/eyes/minds of the right people.

my ritual right before going to sleep is two fold. 1: to write a few words about where my head is at, thanks to the suggestion of gallery director brian storts; and, 2: to recharge the gps anklet for the daily two hour minimum.    i find the latter the most challenging.  i wait until right before going to sleep for this because during the day i am too busy running around working on things that it is difficult to sit still plugged into the wall.  i am also uncomfortable with the idea of falling asleep while plugged into an outlet.  what if some freaky surge occurs while i am asleep?  obviously, the belief is that if a strange occurrence would take place while i were awake, i would be able to do something about it. the more i sit with this, the more i realize that if some strange electrical surge would happen while i were awake, it still is very likely that i would not be able to do anything beyond consciously recognizing that the end was near...

the nightly performances have been incredible.  i had forgotten how soul nourishment was a part of the criteria i used to plan the festival.  it could do so many people an incredible amount of good.


monday>>>july 9, 2007

what does it mean to live without fear? without doubt? without regret? without hate?  without anxiety? without stress? without that which keeps one locked in a joyless life?  wouldn't that be a great thing to find out?

prior to beginning this piece, i thought i would be fasting while in here. i could not go through with it. i broke down emotionally. being on display for the public to see on top of an internal cleansing was a bit too much to handle. all i wanted to do was sleep or cry and i thought that that would not be cool.  i needed to be building and not removing or breaking down.  i wanted to bring people in and not further disenfranchise them.  an internal cleanse means going inward and what i am doing is essentially going outward, making public that which i had been planning for a year.  a time for cleansing will come later.

how are witnesses to this piece handling the energy? witnessing a man in captivity, even if in the name of art, is bound to raise some internal reactions.  it has for me. it has made me understand the extent to which we give away our freedom on a daily basis.

the incredible healing we experienced here this evening has left me full of energy and excitement.  i was tempted to end the project early as a result of the feeling that came over me.  i soon realized, however, that if it had not been for the piece to begin with, the healing would not have occurred.  let's see what else comes from this beautiful opportunity. hopefully more visitors!


tuesday>>>july 10, 2007
tonight is the last night i will be staying in the space.  the piece ends tomorrow, july 11, at 11 pm. you could therefore say that this is the last night of the piece.  i articulate this because the last time i completed a voluntary house arrest in the name of art, which at the time had lasted for 30 days, it had rained on the last night.  it is raining tonight.  this is a good sign.

it is difficult to articulate precisely how i feel.  i am extremely thankful to everyone who made this project possible. i feel fortunate not only for having had the opportunity to present the work, but more importantly for all of the loving people who supported me through the process.  from the queens nails annex community for accepting me into their space, to the nightly performers who helped me carry the torch, to the artists who contributed their incredible work, to the loyal friends who brought me my food and coffee, to the visionary sponsors for their creative spirit, to the countless visitors on both sides of the glass who have inspired as many smiles, and finally to the little chihuahua who made me realize that love truly is selfless - this would not have been possible without you.  thank you.

if you are interested in finding out more about the last american icon, including information about the forthcoming book, please visit:

www.loveemael.com.

you will be glad you did.