WOCA.

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The Window of Contemporary Art (WOCA)
a proposal for DICA (Donkey Institute of Contemporary Art)
by Tintin Wulia
King Midas could turn anything into gold. Rumor had it that he had donkey’s ears.
After thinking for donkey’s years, I’ve finally come up with the Window of Contemporary Art (WOCA).
WOCA can turn anything into contemporary art!

The WOCA setup is simple and straightforward.
On top of the usual DICA setup, you would need just any kind of window, any kind of curtain, several stools and chairs, and a desk lamp (or camping lantern).
Using WOCA is also simple and straightforward.
Just sit down on either side of the window, and watch.
You will be surprised how exciting mundanity is when seen through the frame of WOCA.
When the donkey decides to move, the spectators should move their stools and chairs to the new position.
Even a tiny move of DICA’s donkey can make a big difference to the framing of WOCA.
Opening the window also gives a different effect.
You are somewhat connected to the world that you’re watching, but still … not really.
The presence of WOCA somehow allows you to ignore them.
When it gets dark, turn on the solar-powered desk lamp (or camping lantern).
This will provide the effect of reflection in the glass window, temporarily converting your WOCA into a MOCA (Mirror of Contemporary Art).
Feel free to experiment when opening the window: do it quarter opened, half opened, fully opened.
Once opened, the windowpane will also separate you from the other spectators on your side.
WOCA works two-ways.
While people can choose to watch you, you can also choose whether to be watched.
When you’re on the other side and don’t want to be watched, just pull the curtain down.
Looking at the WOCA from the other side is also as fascinating.
Look at those people just sitting and watching, and moving along whenever and wherever the donkey decides to move.
Watching the WOCA from a distance is even more amazing.
Look at those people watching; look at those being watched.
And look at us, watching people watching people being watched.
Aren’t we all part of this big performance?
Windows were once part of walls.
Thanks to WOCA, they are now liberated.
Gone are the days of the window tax and all those daylight robberies.
The show is now free.
“What is contemporary art?” we used to ask.
With the arrival of WOCA, we now ask, “what is not contemporary art?”

The Window of Contemporary Art (WOCA): a proposal for DICA (Donkey Institute of Contemporary Art)
©2010 Tintin Wulia
for Daniel Wolfson
Modeled with Google SketchUp 7.1. Models credit: desk lamp by RDrayMan 101, Light beam by MorBius, Saddle from Cavalry Mount by MorBius, Cartwheel by Aarni, Window by bocian, Rideau drapé by vick, Stool by Graham, Viennese chair by k15a, all other models by Google and Tintin Wulia.