“Pause” and “Play”: both of these actions are burnt like a CD into the hard drive of our consumer consciousness. Whether driving down the highway or adjusting our home entertainment consul, these concepts are very much a part of the electronic vernacular familiar to all. But the ability to stop an action and then start it up again, repeat and rewind, is a relatively new technology, say, since the 8 track. Paul Ramírez Jonas’ PAUSE AND PLAY takes the directive commands we know so well and puts them to use in an old-fashioned band—a marching band at that, complete with tambourine, cymbols, whistle, kick drum, and snare drums, even a banner. Electronically rigged to a digital alarm clock, this snake-like line of instruments, connected by black rubber hoses, sits idly. Maybe something happens, but probably not. Normally, when visiting a gallery, objects don’t often have a mystique that inludes a kinetic quality, or an tonal presence. Lots of times, art just appeals to visual aspects of our senses, and can surprise when other expectations are fulfilled. Every ten minutes this band will alert viewers to a new way of viewing/experiencing Art/Music/Life.

Ramírez Jonas has curated three sections in zingmagazine. “100” appeared in issue #14, his “Magellan’s Itinerary—A Reproduction” is featured in #16, and “A-M-N-E-S-I-A” in issue #18.

Devon Dikeou