Gallery 68 2832 East Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 633 0545
Hills Snyder: All Good Children (dedicated to Linda Pace)
January 19 – February 24, 2008
Reception: 7 – 9 PM, Saturday, January 19
now walking in the greenwood, rose thorn and daffodil
you’d find us then and now and forever more ye will
but think ye not this is a song to tell ye of a kill
yet murder ballad ‘tis and a kind of murder will
After a lengthy manhunt and speedy trial, Hills Snyder’s date with eternity will finally
come to pass at 8:30 PM, Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Gallery 68 in Austin, Texas.
Snyder, wanted for the murder of at least 16 known victims, eluded the law for years
before finally being brought to justice by way of an overlooked piece of evidence
discovered at Book of The Dead, an after life simulation device built by Snyder at
Artpace in the Summer of 2005. The evidence, a hastily written letter by an unknown person calling himself “Mike,” was
discovered torn to shreds in a wastebasket by San Antonio artist Kimberly Aubuchon, who
pieced it together, unwittingly setting in motion the chain of events which led to Snyder’s
capture. Kathryn Kanjo, Presiding Judge in the case, and Kate Green, Prosecutor for the State,
were both recently quoted as saying they are pleased that the piper will finally be paid,
while Defense Attorney Vanessa Davidson, said, “The evidence was circumstantial at best,
except for the one item.With that even I was convinced of Hills’ guilt, but part of me
really wishes he would live to kill again.” Snyder’s list of victims is long, including Regine Basha, Annette Carlozzi, Mike Casey, Frances
Colpitt, Jennifer Davy, Anjali Gupta, Laurence Miller, Cynthia Toles and Catherine Walworth.
Snyder came to be known for his crime scene habit of leaving near his victims pages torn from
a book --- an open heart surgery instruction manual.
He was apprehended just last month after making an uncharacteristic mistake. One of the
more bizarre aspects of the case is that the cause of death was never determined for any of the
victims, whose bodies were all discovered in their own homes, fully dressed and peaceful, as if
sleeping, some even smiling. The prisoner will be delivered to the chair personally by arresting officer, Elaine Wolff. The
execution will be performed by head Curator, Nate Cassie and will be followed by a wake
at Art Palace, 2109 Cesar Chavez. __________________________________________ A post-resurrection message: Thanks to everyone that agreed to be photographed as a victim and each of you who fulfilled
some other role in the crime to court to prison process. I'd also like to thank each of you who
declined to be photographed or that time or distance did not allow --- you should know that by
being asked you are among those I consider to be important supporters of my work over
the years. The point of the project was to honor each of you.
And thanks also to Bale Allen, Nate Cassie, Chris Sauter and Arturo Palacios, and everyone
who came to the events. The Arresting Officer clearing the gallery, the execution viewing
window which limited viewers and the eventual painting out of all views by the head Curator was
all part of the experience, as was the re-appearance of the dead man at another gallery (in a
move something like going from the library to the conservatory in a game of Clue) --- so wherever
you were able to jump in, thanks for being there. And thanks to Linda. I photographed her in Apri of 2007, during an optimistic period. We had been
discussing the project since late 2005 and she was acutely aware of the irony in the moment. She
was brave, a good sport, committed to art and the artist as she always was. She was glad to be
part of the project and saw the humor in it from a very singular perspective. And finally, for those
of you who asked about my natty orange resurrection suit, check out Beacon's at E. Houston and
New Braunfels in San Antonio.
Hills
Photo documentation of this project by Justin Parr, Leslie Raymond and Bale Creek Allen.
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