Between 1979 and 1981, the artist produced several variations of text inspired by the words of various outside thought leaders throughout world history. Some of these texts were published in book format, and others, like Inflammatory Essays, were mass distributed by the artist all over the Soho neighborhood of New York City. These short, colorful bursts of language intend to provoke, intrigue, and inspire the viewer to reconsider their existing ideas surrounding power: what is it, who has it, and how it can transform. 

Jenny Holzer investigates the violence of resistance.

Jenny supposes that domination is a sort of addicting pleasure, and that it actually benefits those being dominated.

Jenny is saying that fear is often used as a means of controlling the population.

This text calls for the burning destruction of a morally corrupt society.

The text is suggesting that times of hardship always lead to times of prosperity.

Holzer is insinuating that those that have used their power to oppress others are not worthy of mercy.

The "narrator" of these texts seems to be constantly shifting between multiple, conflicting identities.

Jenny Holzer muses on the human obsession with novelty and  only constant in life: change.

In a series of commands, Holzer issues a directive to the viewer: leave behind earthly wants and all your natural impulses. 

Standards for Inflammatory Essays