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Location: Baltimore, MD

Marian April Glebes

: from the series "Smoke as Words" "Smoke as Words" is a continuation of Glebes’s site specific gestures investigating, via smoke signals and ancient telegraphic codes sent by torch, themes of illegibility, communication, and language. 2010 – ongoing Images Depicts the following, from top Left, to bottom RIght: 1. All messages sent for "Smoke as Words" are encoded using a polybius square encryption method. The numerical codes are displayed as graphite transfer drawings accompanied by the ash from the burnt torch 2. Braided grass used in construction of torch. 3. Detail of bedspring used as part of torch. 4. Torch built from found materials including bed spring, braided straw, sawdust, wire, broken garden hoe. 5. Documentation of performance during which Glebes sent the message "We want to be perceived" by raising and lowering a torch to count off the visual code.

: Solicitation for Emergencies "Solicitation for Emergencies" 2010 – 2011 "please leave your emergencies here" "Solicitation for Emergencies" was installed at the Greenbelt Art Center in Greenbelt, MD as a part of "Respondings," a solo exhibition of Glebes’s work from November 2010 to January 2011. Over the two months of the exhibition, emergencies were left in the wooden box by gallery visitors. On the last day of the exhibition, Glebes lit three fires to call for rescue for the emergencies, which were broadcast by the artist at the center of the three signal fires. During the performance, members of the community visited the fires while they burned out, and were encouraged to discuss their own emergencies. The signal fires lasted for approximately one hour." materials: milk crate, antique wooden box, nails, pencil, fabriano paper, audience participation

: Untitled Emergency Survival Tactic #8 (expertise vs. dilettantism in potability, trust, and personal purity 2010 materials: harbour water, self-designed and built filter (clear pvc pipe, rocks, gravel, sand, plant, soil, cotton, activated carbon, water bottle), chain, ladder, champagne flutes, cook pot, propane stove, non-rigid pvc tubing, scintillation vials, bleach, syringes, paper, bucket, hand pump, audience participation project description: In this work, presented at the 2010 Transmodern Festival’s Pedestrian Services Exquisite, Glebes filtered Baltimore’s inner harbour water with a self-designed and constructed water filter, treated it for microbial and viral contamination using only water or bleach, then invited viewers to drink the water from champagne flutes or take away purified water in vials as a true souvenir of the city. A tally was kept of those who drank, and from which treatment process.

: Untitled Emergency Survival Tactic #10 (Ramen Made From the Pond Water for the College Survivalist) 2010 materials: pond water, self-designed and built filter (clear pvc pipe, rocks, gravel, sand, plant, soil, cotton, activated carbon, water bottle), chain, ladder, electric kettle, top ramen, non-rigid pvc tubing, forks, cups, timer, bucket, hand pump, audience participation project description: In "Ramen from Pond Water," A battery was charged by riding stationary bicycles in the gallery. The battery was then transported to the outdoors where Glebes filtered then, using an electric kettle powered by the battery, boiled water collected from the stormwater retention pond at the heart of a college campus during lunch hour, then used the boiled water to make ramen noodles, which were fed to students under full disclosure of the process. This work was executed in collaboration with Jaimes Mayhew for inclusion in the CADVC’s IMDA MFA Exhibition.

: Untitled Emergency Survival Tactic #12 (Poached Eggs from the Jones Falls River) 2010 materials: Jones Falls River water, self-designed and built filter (clear pvc pipe, rocks, gravel, sand, sedum, soil, cotton, activated carbon, water bottle), chain, ladder, dixie cups, cook pot, non-rigid pvc tubing, local eggs, apple cider vinegar, slotted spoon, bucket, hand pump. audience participation project description: In this work, presented at the first Mobile Market of the Food Network exhibition at the Creative Alliance, Glebes collected water from the Jones Falls River, filtered it through a self-designed and hand-built filter, then boiled it to not only kill microbial contaminants, but also to cook poached eggs. The eggs were prepared and served for consumption by willing participants at their request under full disclosure of the process.

: Others, Treading "Others, treading" 2010-2011 materials: xeroxed instructions, c-prints, tape, found box, tracing paper, paper clips, shelf, paper, archival digital prints of participants’ photographs, audience participation project description: In this work, Glebes photographed the lake at and sky above Buddy Attic Park. Then, in collaboration with the Greenbelt Arts Center, Greenbelt community groups and gallery viewers were solicited to attach the printed photographs to the soles of their shoes. The participants were then encouraged to "do something" while wearing the images. Having performed an activity, viewers wrote a description of their actions and digitally photographed the shoes they wore while performing the activity. The worn prints, descriptions, and digital photographs were installed in the gallery over the course of the exhibition.