“Party of One”, a video artwork from the archive made by Michelle Murphy on Valentine’s Day of 2001 in Cleveland.
In 1994 I meticulously painted an anatomically correct heart for a boyfriend who was ashamed by its gore.
On Valentine’s Day in 2001, I took myself on a series of dates (alone) and made this video work in the lighting studio at the Cleveland Institute of Art.I captured the tape this morning, 20 years later.
*This work has been adapted for virtual Valentine’s Day 2021. To accompany this post, their Internet public is invited to personally commission love notes or to forever remain in the artist’s brain, filed under folder: 2021: subfolder Party of One: subfolder: fluxus: titled “MMMurphy_best_intentions_02-14-2021.pdf” scroll down to see more of this work and to order your own PARTY OF ONE: LOVE LETTER from the Artist.
During this period I made minimum wage at the Nature Co. selling fossils, plastic planetariums, world music CDs, and telescopes, to white collar workers, tourists, and the occasional celebrity. Not in LA or NYC but in downtown Cleveland, I met Carol Kane. Kane was surprised how intensely I was responding to her as B-MOVIE star role of Office Killer Directed by Cindy Sherman. “Now thAAAAt’s a Sssspecial Movieeeee for you to have SEEEN, I will tell SSssssssCindy how you liiiiiike IT!” Kane spoke-sang-schrill with her voice.She gave me a FREE ticket to see her in “the Vagina Monologues”. I showed up after work, dressed in my best outfit: a long blood red polyester jacket and a shiny black dress, modest length like for a ball. My color scheme so appropriate, it was embarrassing; I matched the performers exactly. I learned more about my body that night than I did bending over in a mirror, or from Mom, or grandma DeSales before she passed.
inequities
pink, red, white
the status quo
unskilled modern dance
un-modern dance
the expectations of femininity
car interior steamed-up windows
the research graphs of Clareese Hill
swing
cuddling Susan Sontag
tap dance
submission
attraction
abortion
the imperfect body
pollen anywhere
loving myself
call waiting
radio tower prompt from Jessica Baer
zoom with Britney and a feather
birth control
making art in lieu of a date
video art by Alex Bag
Shirley Temple
Little Orphan Annie
Anais Nin
Mary Magdalene
Tracy and the Plastics (Wynne Greenwood)
“On the Campaign Trail with Joan Jett Blakk!”
Le Tigre
hormones
smell
spitting
“Camp”
a scold from Peaches
Chicks on Speed
naturexxx by Eliza Fernand
pixel smear, pap smear
suck
fucking an Astronaut on Earth
Robin Deacon’s lecture performance with super8
HOLE “Doll Parts”
grey pubic hair
My Meteorite by Harry Dodge
the bee girl
chewing
lick
art for a pig by Andrew Norman Wilson
Maneater by Daryl Hall and John Oates
Bjork “It’s Oh So Quiet”
masks touching
alien finger
ALL DAY by Girl Talk
swallow
Frances Ha (film)
Cetusss’ humor
dances by Amanda Maraista
five year conversation with Claire Frost
sweat
Sally Tatnall and Pre-Term
Dr. Elizabeth Bly’s voice
Maria’s tattoos and reasons for having them
Noa/h’s poems
the blur of hustle in Chris Mason’s photographs
orchids and butoh by Mitsu Salmon
a text link from Hannah
Mallorie Freeman’s chocolate lips
Sarah Paul’s dance with a My Little Pony
Rebekah Wilhelm’s secrets
a color song by Chelsea
Jameson’s laugh
tulips
a calming conversation with Catherine
Pia’s balance of tough and gentle
Warhol’s black book
the earth in MK’s work
an aging hormonal IUD
sonic orgasm
AnnaKiss off-the-grid
black roses
Today is the perfect day to overshare, to tell someone that you love them and why. To look people in their dominant eye. To stroke the inside of your cheek with your tongue. To fall, to bruise your knees.To hide intensity in cupid’s arrow in plain sight.
M.M.M.
<3 + + + + + + + + + +
For a private PARTY FOR ONE: LOVE NOTE
- You may be involved, single, a-sexual, poly, of any gender or non-binary or non-conforming fluidity.
- My notes will refer to the incredible cerebral being and community constellations you have fostered and shared.
- I may review your online mirage before composing a personalized love note.
- As we only interact now in pixels, these notes will omit any irrelevant body-related commentary.
- I will mean everything I write.
- I will hand write the note myself.
- You may re-read it.
- You may recycle it if your city still can afford to export it.
- Write to me with your Address send $10 (postage cost included)
- via Venmo @ Michelle-Marie-Murphy or Paypal: missmichellemurphy@ gmail
In purchasing a PARTY FOR ONE: LOVE NOTE, you consent to one written intimate interaction with the artist. You may commission this note as a gift but may be asked follow up questions if the artist is 2 or more degrees of social App separation from the love recipient.