37 Illocutions (with this ring) (2026)

37 differently sized rings with illocutionary statements engraved in mirror image, round mirror with text engraved

As illocution is a special term in speech act theory for when to say something is to do it, such as in the marriage vow “I do.” This piece consists of 37 different-sized rings with a vow-like illocutionary statement engraved on it in mirror image. Viewers are invited to try on the rings and read the inscriptions in the mirror until they find one that fits. 

This piece is a response to an older work, Homage: Congratulations (2017), which will also be on view. These takeaway cards are a critique of marriage in the style of Adrian Piper’s famous Calling Cards (1986-1990). They are meant to be sent as a “no” RSVP to weddings that you are invited to, or ones you are not.

Homage: Congratulations has been one of my most exhibited works, which is great. Except this year I got married. So curator Sara Reisman invited me to revisit this piece and make a work about what it means to commit, and what it means to change.