For “Critic as Grist” at White Box Gallery, Portnoy installed the complete works of Arthur Danto on a microchip implanted in the brain of a sea slug, Xar Taplik, creating the world’s first Aplysia superartist. Taplik resided in an aquarium in the gallery and its art ideas were transmitted to a Mac Classic computer. Taplik was asked to make a work of art about Arthur Danto and it suggested sending viewers on a quest for the meaning of Arthur Danto. A telephone number was established and hung in black brillo pad like seaweed (common sea slug cuisine). Viewers called the number and Taplik (through assistants) sent them on a citywide quest through libraries, intimate rendezvous, and other wild goose trails.
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Xar Taplik on Arthur Danto
