Let's Talk

"Let's Talk", Adrian Piper, 1992

Piper explores concepts of “otherness and ostracism,” marginalization, racist thought, and particularly, sexuality and confrontation. The androgynous figure smokes casually in the light of the window, inviting the viewer to sit down and “have a talk.” There is a subtle sense of power and catalysis in these words as the figure looks away, slyly confronting the viewer about these concepts.

Originally part of a larger series of oil crayon drawings on photograph, this was #3 of 6 of Piper’s 1975 The Mythic Being, Let’s Have a Talk. In that series, the text is extended to read “Let’s have a talk / to bring us closer / as close friends do: / come nearer; may I stroke your back?” With this longer phrase taken into account, the concepts of sexuality and confrontation visibly come to light given the subject’s ambiguous identity and seemingly odd request.