Acconci first documents his actions in a monotone voice - that contains an echo. I believe this voice represents conformity - it documents what we are supposed to do.
He uses a whispering voice to document sounds of violence - even though he is saying generally positive words, sound like weapons being fired. Eventually the words transition into words of war, and American branches of government.
There is also a normal speaking voice that often repeats.
According to the video's description, there are three "characters" in the story, a revolutionary, a prisoner, and an artist, all individuals, and all outsiders.
2. Locate instances of nationalism as well as lone individuality in the work. What do references to nationalism “do” or emphasize with respect to our understanding of the story.
The man tied up in the beginning represents nationalism, that tries again and again to persevere despite individualist instinct.
The man writing the novel is in a prison - therefor he is an outsider. Writing novels refers to writing the days on the wall.
Flipping through the book can be viewed as an individualist act, the photos are of nature and the artist is humming to himself.
The map of manifest destiny - westward expansion in America shows nationalism because of the desire to expand the American land.
3. How do the formal strategies (the look and how different elements are put together) of video, still photos, painting, film, and performance contribute to the content of the work? Provide specific examples.
The different elements add interest to the work, and further succeed in muddling the meaning and confusing the viewer. The piece switches between spoken word and visual documentation. the artist flips through pages of a photo book while dramatic music plays - reflecting the insanity of the prisoner exhibited before. I believe it is supposed to reflect a dream like state in the work.
4. How do you ultimately understand the narrative or story of this work? Please describe.
This is a piece about American nationalism contrasting with the individualist spirit. While America is a country that supports unity, it also celebrated the individualist nature, and condemns those who conform. It points out this contrast in a dream-like state, using spoken word coupled with visual images to create a non-linear narrative. In addition, it points out the voice of the government authority, which I believe is the spoken word that happens without a visual element - a sign that our government is faceless, and the response of the individuals, whom are the voices coupled with the images. The voices not only entail government instructions, but also the expected american ideals. We are supposed to work hard, get jobs, join the army, etc.
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