Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1996. The Fenway neighborhood where I live is seeing more development on Boylston Street. One of the new stores is an independent office supply shop. Naturally, I walk in, and discover an instant business card machine, $5 for 20 cards laser printed in one color. Using the machine’s terrible UI (boy I wish I’d documented that), limited typographic choices and oblique clip art, I assemble a series of messages – life tips, really – to hand out to people or install in public places (ads on the T, included with restaurant cheques).

I’ve always been inspired by Jenny Holzer’s work, and was channelling her tone and style with my own content and in a new form. I kept one of each of the many cards I made over the years; these are the first four.