"It's Ok": an Experiment in Woodcutting : Earz Magazine

Yours, Sighned “Its OK”

July 9, 2008 · Words: Martin S ·

Sighned

Cutting 1,000,000 “ITS OK” in wooden blocks has become a lifetime’s preoccupation for artist maverick Sighn (real name unknown to the masses) and he has already filled galleries and weirded-out friends with his ambitious project. I spoke to him right before he embarked on a 24 hour “cut-a-thon” in the name of DIY resolve and why-the-hell-not.

Can you shed light on what you’ve been doing with the ITSOK project- how & why did it start, how has it been received, and how is it going?

“I create things that I want to see in the world. If something comes to mind, and gets me excited, or moves me…I’m going to do it. Make the world you want to see. I also really enjoy a good challenge. Life can get pretty boring and mundane, so I am always coming up with ideas to push myself further.

Most of my ideas come to me while riding the bus. It’s one of the few places, where I can just sit, and think through things. I find my self laughing at ideas, sitting next to no one. Definitely one of the crazies on the bus. I quickly write things down, and if one of the notes ever surfaces again out of my bag, it’s a probably a winner.”

Q: Do you have a background in design, art and curious installations?

“I work with a lot of cut paper and wood in my work. I have many other projects going on, outside of this edition, which keeps me on my toes. I have a show coming up at Open Space in New York in August, and Space 1026 in October. I just completed my solo show ‘I don’t know any other way to say this’ in Chicago, in which I made a massive ITSOK out of 1,000 ITSOK’s.”

Sighned IMAGE: CLOSE-UP SHOT OF GIANT ‘ITSOK’ AT ALL RISE GALLERY, CHICAGO.

How did you settle on “ITS OK” phrase. Does it have a therapeautical or personal meaning?

“A few key phrases seem to never leave me. ‘Sometimes words are not enough’ has been the main story line of my work. These last few weeks, I have been painting/drawing/cutting out the phrase trying to make sense of it all’ as I am doing exactly that. My work really reflects what I am thinking at that exact moment.

I made a street piece with the outline of a huge paper airplane, simply writing ’so sorry…’ below it. A few years later, I made an installation at a gallery of 1,000 paper airplanes, writing on each one ‘I’m sorry.’ It was pretty time intensive, hand writing and folding each one…But I really enjoyed the process of the piece, more than the work itself, which in turn didn’t last long. Taking inspiration from Felix Gonzalez Torez, people were allowed to take a plane with them, and at the end of the show, all the planes were gone.

The phrase It’s OK itself, I find myself saying A LOT. To people who bump into you on the sidewalk, or when your food order takes too long, or when someone hurts themselves, or if someone was far too intoxicated and said things they shouldn’t. Or…when you’re just trying to get through life. I also thought about the fact that I’d have to cut it out 1 million times. So I simply stand there, thinking it to myself as I cut it out…It’s OK, It’s OK, It’s OK.”

You said it will take a lifetime to finish…that’s a pretty bold move- how have your family and friends reacted? Do you want to still be carving in 40, 50 years?

“It is pretty interesting how it has been received. My close friends have a laugh over it, and most don’t think I’ll do it. My family just rolls their eyes. They know they’re in for it too, and will have to hear about it, until it’s finished. Those few that know my true nature, know I’ll be relentless until it is finished.”

Sighned

Can you tell me about the planting of a tree for each piece sold.

“Currently I am planting one tree for each piece sold of the Multi Polar site, by donating to the Arbor Day Foundation. They work hard to repopulate forests devastated by the wildfires in California. I started doing the math, and realized the huge amount of material I was going to be using to complete this project. I think it’s essential to live and act responsible and sustainable. That way future generations can do whatever crazy ass ideas they have…I’ve also begun working with bamboo, and other readily replenish-able materials.”

Lastly, is there anything you’d like to add to the interview? What are your next steps?

“Today at noon, I am starting my 24 hour cut-a-thon, where I will be cutting out ITS OK’s for an entire day. Noon to noon. I probably spent too much time reading World Record Books as a kid, and I can’t back down from a good challenge. So we’ll see where it leads. I’ll be posting regularly throughout the event here: itsok24hrs.blogspot.com.

Sighned
IMAGE: A WALL OF ‘ITSOK’, AT ALL RISE GALLERY IN CHICAGO