Nato Thompson – “Oscar Island”

Oscar Island as imagined by Nato Thompson, One of fifteen islands fabricated by Greg Sholette based on ideas proposed by invited collaborators, Mixed media (paper, sand, plastic, wire, resin), 2012

Dear Greg,

On this island every year, the thirty richest and the thirty poorest inhabitants of New York City must
come together for the production of New York’s favorite annual ritual: the production and performance
of that year’s Oscar winning film in theatrical form. The residents are chosen the previous year so they
have one year to make arrangements. In NYC, this has led to a rapid attempt by tax accountants and
financial consultants hired by the city’s wealthiest to avoid the top 10% bracket, but nonetheless, thirty
people are selected from the wealthy each year. The poorest 30 people in NYC are chosen by lottery, as
it is difficult to assess what constitutes less than $0 a year salary. The residents farm, cook, clean and
cohabitate near a state of the art theater for the collective production of America’s most cherished films.
Whether it is The Piano, Titanic, or Gladiator, the theater is sure to draw audiences worldwide.

- Nato
Sent from my iPad

Nato Thompson is a curator and writer who focuses on social and politically engaged public artworks.

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