A gauge, a guide, an indicator of direction, a revealer of the unknown—these are the roles of the tattler, the talebearer, the telltale. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel, Tell-Tale replaces the fairy tale’s characters with contemporary equivalents: Government, Media, Citizens, Captives, and Knowledge. In this reimagining, the evil enchantress Dame Gothel takes on the role of both government and media. Guided by folklore, the parents of the unborn Rapunzel represent those of us who, out of fear sparked by a long-held but unproven tale, accept an unequal bargain, sacrificing our rights. Rapunzel, in turn, embodies the majority who are held captive by the systems others have created for them. Knowledge, replacing the Prince, offers relief, hope, and the potential for escape—but is easily deceived, manipulated, and blinded in the process.

This work has evolved since its initial version. For this installation, the newsprint begins as more colorful and dramatic, reflecting the increasingly sensational nature of print media as it competes with other sources of distraction. As the piece progresses, the newsprint transitions from vivid color to mostly black-and-white, ultimately fading to blank—symbolizing the consolidation of our news sources and the erosion of transparency.