SONG 2: [SKYPE] SINGSPIEL SCRIPT

// @ ABOUT 1:45 PM CHI TIME/8:45 PM LINZ TIME

// jC CALLS JAKE
// JAKE ANSWERS

JAKE:

to -THE VASULKAS INC .
pages -
Vienna, 27 .3 .1992
Dear Mrs . and Mr. Vasulka!
Dear Mr. Wilson`
i
Thank you for the first information about your preliminary program for the exibition in Linz . We are happy, that we hake the possibility to work on this exhibition . At first may be a new information for you : The exhibition contains bejond your pieces also three instalations by Peter Weibel, Jeffry Shaw and Agnes Hegedus. These three objekts need the space o ¬ two or three rooms. On that account we have to work on new partition of the showFooms . As soon as we have further informations, we will forward it .

// NINA CALLS JAKE
// JAKE ANSWERS

NINA:

Dear Peter,
We just received the draft of the contract from Katarina this morning . After reading the draft and discussing it with our team we came to the conclusion that the conditions are too unreasonable to accept, it almost looks that somebody does not want this show at all .

// JAKE CALLS jC
// jC ANSWERS

JAKE:

Dear Woody and Steina Vasulka,

concerning the exhibition on pioneers of the electronic arts at Ars Electronica 92 we are very happy to have you curating the show . I would like to inform you, that Gottfried is going to leave the ARS and me and Brigitte vasicek will do the artistic management with Peter Weibel as artistic director . Peter Weibel and me are planning to come to the US within the next month to meet you for discussing the whole concept, Before all we now would need very urgently the names and adresses of the artists/inventors you intend to invite . We also have to find all devices and machines for the exhibition and probably have to arrange dates, contracts and so on .

Peter Weibel to The Vasulkas,
I confirm here that The Vasulkas have my personal guarantee that the total budget of 65,000,--$ for the planned show at Ars Electronica will not be scaled dov;n . Since The Vasulkas are not an institate it cannot be expected that they pay enormous sums in advance in behalf of the project . Therefore it is agreed that everything is paid in time for the benefit of the project . Just 10.000,--$ are kept back to the moment of the arrival of The Vasulkas in Linz, June 9th, it is also agreed that the traveling and hotel costs for David MUller and The Vasulkas are paid extra by LIVA .

jC:

Dear Katharina,
On Sunday, February 9, 1992, Peter Weibel called to inform us that there would be a deposit into our account on February 10 for the amount of $40,000 .00 so that we could proceed with the exhibition for ARS ELECTRONICA . We have contacted our bank and there has been no deposit . The Bank of Santa Fe also indicated that it cannot accept ATS . We are happy to accept ATS exchange rate but our small town bank can only receive US Dollars by wire . Please note that the conversion from ATS to US_ Dollars must be done by the Austrian bank . As we have indicated, we can no longer work from our own resources on your project . We are stalled until funds arrive .
Sincerely,
/ A~--A~--MaLin Wilson
Exhibition Coordinator

// NINA CALLS JAKE
// JAKE ANSWERS

NINA:

I hoped it would not come to this . . . I admit, our communication has not been very good, but as you, we have been terribly busy, I just came back from Iowa city after backbreaking packaging job . I can see now, there were different perception of this project right from the beginning, I was totally absorbed by the very specific theme and the logistics of the project and might not been sensitive to the other possibilities specially those, coming at the last minute . But what has surprised me the most is your lack of confidence in us being able to carry this project through all stages, including all phases of the preparation and production of the catalog .

But there seem to be much deeper problem here, which is the problem of the credits and other authorships and job definition .

// jC CALLS JAKE
// JAKE ANSWERS

jC:

So fare, we have been quite unsuccessful in convincing you about the urgency in receiving at least the first down payment on the catalog . We must get you attention immediately, this is not the time for us to thing about possible emergences . You have been quite aware of the situation and your fax from May 23 states that clearly . I would be unethical and frankly impossible for us to proceed with "the business as usual" in dealing with our associates here without knowing the seriousness of your commitment . In, reading your latest Telefax i finally realized how unconcerned you are about our difficulties . You were introduced to us by Peter to be a bright and able person and we always assumed that your priority is to facilitate the success of the show . It is very disheartening, that at this critical stage of the project, that we are forced to questioned your commitments of this last and an additional stage of our project, which again we negotiated in a good will and trust .

JAKE:

kindest regards Regarding the catalogue money, we have to tell you, that we cannot transfer any more money to you as there doesn't exist any further contract with you, than the one which says that the edition of the catalogue is included . For the catalogue-production we need invoices from a printing company or whatever, which we can pay directly . So please tell the companies you are cooperating with to send us the invoices . Awaiting you here in Linz i send you my kindest regards

jC:

Your contract differs radically from the agreement reached between the Vasulkas and Peter Weibel by telephone on February 9th_ Be assured that we will only consider contracts that also carry the authorizing initials of Peter Weibel .

// NINA CALLS JAKE
// JAKE ANSWERS

NINA:

And finally, please note that there is an outstanding fee of $2,000 still owed to Mr . Phil Morton, originally negotiated by Ms Gsollpointner outside of our budget as you will find the correspondence faxed on May 6th 1992 . His address : Phil Morton Box 987 West Yellowstone, Montana 59758 Tel : (406) 646 7519 Thanks again for giving us this great opportunity to work on such an exciting project and we hope to continue working on your permanent and equally exciting collection for your new Ars Electronica building in Linz .

Dear Peter

Right now we are stuck because we have not received your article and every day that goes by reduces the chances of even coming close to the deadline . If we can put your article at the end than we can proceed immediately .

May 20 1992

// JAKE CALLS jC
// jC ANSWERS

JAKE:

you've already received the limit of the budget . Besides that we covered your US fltghts , all assistants and travel and lodging for David Jones . AS i could only go through the latest budget situation this week ( which is very on the edge), it is noz possible for me to trensfer any more money to you, Even if I tried, the financial department would not do it .

I told Peter about the situannon, so it you want to get in touch with him concerning this situation, please do it .

we also need a photographl(polaroid) of every theinsurance company until middle of may . Kindest regards

Letter of clarification Linz, April 2, 1992 LIVA Linzer VeranstaltungsgesellschaftmbH, Untere Donaul&nde 7, A-4020 Line, declares that it will take over the costs for insurance and transportation of the machines listed by Vasulkas Inc . i n their letter from March 20, page 2 thru 6, which will kindly be provided by artists and institutions to Vasulkas Inc . t o be shown at the festival in Linz (dune 22 thru July 5, 1992) . The period for the insurance lasts from May 4 thru the day of the machines' return after the exhibition . The insurance includes the way from Iowa City, USA, to Linz , Austria and back to the places listed by Vasulkas Inc .