A CONVERSATION ABOUT TIME WITH:
GIFFORD MOY
I first met Gifford when I worked as an art consultant for AHRC, an organization that runs day habilitation programs for individuals with disabilities in New York. It became clear very quickly that Gifford was incredibly thoughtful, talented, and committed to his art. Working with him each week was a great pleasure, and when he expressed interest in doing a time interview, I jumped at the chance.
Age (at time of interview): 24
Occupation: Artist
From : New York City
Resides: New York City
1. Word association: What are the first 5 words that come to mind when you think of time?
Times tables, clock time, what else do they have ... I think, those are the only two I can think of.
2. What are your earliest memories of time, or time measurement? When did you learn how to read a clock or a watch?
The world, how they change. Like, how the one that's not exactly like never seen before. The things they build they've never seen before.
3. In your daily life, how often do you think about the times of day?
Wake up, breakfast first, lunch, dinner, watch TV, play with my cat, go out, search the world, maybe go shopping or something like that.
Do you think about time when you do any of that?
I guess so. It's cool. You can record the time that you do those things.
4. Do you ever lose track of time?
Maybe. Sometimes I do.
5. Do you ever experience time going faster or slower than “normal’?
Sometimes slow and sometimes fast.
When does it feel like it's going by fast?
During the time, or the month.
What months feel like they're going by fast?
Each month - June, July, August. Those things.
What about when it goes slow?
When you're too far away from the thing you've been counting down to.
6. When you measure time, do you measure it by counting down, counting up, or not counting at all?
Up and down. Both.
7. How much do you focus on the past, present, and future?
I think the future. What's that like.
Gifford, how old are you?
I think 24.
Is she older or younger?
I think she's ... I'm not sure. It's hard to tell.
Megan [a staff member at Brooklyn Day Habilitation and close friend to Gifford] told me you were interested in my website because it was about time; what made you interested in it?
Cool. The pieces.
What about when you work on art? Do you ever think about art?
I guess so.
When you're working on a piece of art, are you concerned about what time it is?
I don't know.
What about these shapes in the table?
It's shaped like a circle. Like a clock. Oh! What if instead of a number on the clock, we could do a picture of maybe staff?
Oh that would be awesome! So it wouldn't be one o'clock, it would be Megan o'clock! Let's make a staff clock.
Let's go tell Megan, let's make a staff clock.
Can you tell me some things about yourself?
I love to sing. Do pretend magic. To read. To play with my cat. I like to eat. I like to buy food, like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Popeyes, Pizza Hut.
Do you live with your family?
Yes.
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yes. Sister.
This interview was conducted on May 25th, 2015. To read more about Gifford, and to see an example of his work, visit: https://www.artemoose.net/artists/gifford-moy/