To You!

2003 


To You!
2003

Telemarketing performance. In the main gallery of Mills College Art Museum a small telemarketing office was erected. During museum hours, telemarketers would randomly call the households of Oakland California and sing “Happy Birthday” to the unsuspecting populace. The song was sung despite the fact that it was unlikely that it was the recipient’s actual birthday. Because the hours of operation were generally when most people are at work the majority of the calls were left on answering machines. The telemarketers reported that they experienced increased anxiety based on the guilt generated by having to perform such a juvenile activity for such a prolonged period.


To You!
2003

Telemarketing performance. This is a view of the entire set of cubicles. Visitors to the museum were greeted with several telemarketers singing ''Happy Birthday''.