Tom Osborne is an artist born in East London (Borough of Hackney), England, in 1929.
Scope and content
The work, "Debris" by Tom Osborne, 1997, consists of an assembled collection of graphic and textual material, sound and moving image recordings, and realia, relating to the life and activities of Osborne, arranged and listed by the creator as follows: 1) Sharp hooks (use gloves to remove). My thoughts about archives and the possibility of ideas and contents dredging up painful memories impelled me to place the hooks in. I also have scalpel blades and needles but decided against them, as delving into an alcove that contains, say the remains of the Alexandrian Library can also contain a scorpion that can easily bite through thin gloves. Not that I compare the material in the box to such a marvel of course. 2) Video "Untitled" 12 minutes. Originally part of Scan 72 and 16mm film it is slightly abstract a study in colour, composition and inversion. It has never been shown to a large audience. N.B.: You will recall Scan 72 was composed of slides. 3) Use white gloves if you are fastidious or more importantly if you are allergic to Silicone on this. 4) Pacemaker in basket with gloves. This pacemaker was removed by the Pathologist when the person expired. Intrigued by the thought this pacemaker was still functioning I asked for it (no names no packdrill). It was sending out its pulses for a few years more (easily ascertained with a volt meter). I wondered if I should change the batteries to get it functioning to provoke discussion. Some pacemaker in the USA had batteries lasting many years. I don't think atomic powered ones will ever be approved? 5) Book "The Nature of Light and Colours in the Plain Air" M. Minnaert, 1954 Dover Books. 6) Book "Masako's Pillow Book" Handbound 1975. 7) Granville Grange order book. Retrieved from garbage container when building torn down to make way for a parking lot. 8) 3 cds: Renta Tebaldi track 10 (I live for Art); Missa Luba (1st part only-Kyrie to Agnus Dei); Pachabel Cannon Tracks 1-11. The CDs are to be used in Osborne's memorial service (after his death), as is item 9. 9) Large, old flag, to be draped over artist's coffin. 10) Old issues of LIFE and File magazines. 11) Folder with documents/loose documents: articles, statements, promotions, official medal entitlement, modern stamp art produced by Ed Varney published by Artist; photos, certificates, McCarthyism documents from USA, school certificate--March 1954, application to Trans Canada Airlines for flight steward position, Canadian Pacific telegraphs, letter to/from wife, job description review, Evidence of Intermedia, VAG opening invitation, notice to Doris Shadbolt, invitations, Vancouver School of Art letter, newspaper article, Canada Council Grant (1st one), report that Tom sent to them, Pacific Rim communication, VAG brochure, Greenpeace, $30 from Burnaby Art Gallery, articles about artist's show, sculpture that never happened, rainbow bridge proposal, 3-ringed circus (both proposals not done). 12) Metal speculum. 13) Old cap and medals.
