Hello? The Art of the Phonecall

Patrick Langley | ArtReview | 7th August 2020

A pretty essay on the phonecall as a neglected subject of performance art. Notwithstanding video calls and mobiles, the humble landline phone still feels “so vital”. But why? Is it the paradox of feeling so near to a distant person? The possibility that the voice at the other end is not who they say they are? Or simply “a nostalgic evocation of the fumbling, desire-filled chats I used to have on brick phones”.