Packaging involving destroying

[Penon]

I have been trying to formulate what exactly I think about the role of packaging. A lot of people seem to see packaging as part of the release that has durable value, and I never felt like that but couldn't quite understand why. Now I think I finally managed to pinpoint it. I will start with an old anecdote:

- What is the difference between installation and performance?
- Installation is when you shit on the doorstep, then ring a bell. Performance is when you ring the bell first.

To me, packaging is more akin to performance - it is meant to be experienced once, when you receive the item and open it for the first time. It is an act of transitioning from state before experiencing the tape/CD/vinyl to the state after. It is supposed to be only-once experience that sets the right tone for the first listen, perhaps changes your expectations and gives additional background that makes appreciation of that listen deeper and fuller. I am always very excited when I open the item for the first time, but never ever I returned to any packaging, no matter how interesting or intricate, again.

With this in mind, self-destructing packaging makes utmost sense - it is designed to be experienced once. It is a performance, not an installation.

[k.p.g]

With this in mind, self-destructing packaging makes utmost sense - it is designed to be experienced once.

I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment.  My goal is usually to keep as much of the original packaging intact while creating a reusable entry point to the tape.  If something like a screw or piece of wood is destroyed or lost along the way, oh well; as long as the packaging is mostly intact and I can grab the tape.  I once accidentally damaged part of a Kadef tape because I thought he housed extra inserts inside a piece of cardboard.  Whoops.

This week though, I received a package from the mayor of Stahlstown, Henry Mallard.  2 source tapes are housed in what appears to be part of a computer, which is then wrapped in loose cassette tape, which is all held together by hefty lairs of electrical tape.  It's a hulking beauty.  Of course I want the tapes inside, but I quickly come to realize that any "gentle" method of opening this thing just might not be possible.  It's really brought into question how much I value the source inside vs. the art that it came attached to, and the effort Henry put in to creating this work.  When I approached him about why he would make something so extra for just a couple of sound sources, he said "to punish you."  Hah.  Fitting.