But picketing - picketing for or against something, and handing out literature - these are conspicuously formal actions. They have to be understood as indirect communication.

In this quote, Tony Conrad reflects on the nature of picketing and distributing literature as forms of protest or advocacy. He describes these actions as formal and structured, meaning they are premeditated and organized expressions of opinion. According to Conrad, these activities represent indirect communication, because they don’t involve direct, personal interaction between the protester and the audience. Instead, they convey a message through symbols, signs, or literature, relying on the audience to interpret the message independently.

By calling picketing an indirect form of communication, Conrad highlights that such actions are not as personal or immediate as other methods of communication, such as one-on-one discussions or direct confrontation. The protesters’ message is delivered through the physical act of standing with signs or distributing written material, but there is no immediate feedback or engagement from the person receiving the message. This makes it a more distant form of communication compared to direct conversations, where the sender and receiver are actively engaged in the exchange.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Conrad’s work as an artist and activist, known for exploring the intersection of art, communication, and social issues. Conrad’s emphasis on the formal and indirect nature of picketing reflects his understanding of how protest actions are often stylized to communicate to a wider audience, but without necessarily inviting a dialogue or personal exchange with the individuals being addressed.

Ultimately, Conrad’s quote encourages a reflection on the role of protest in modern communication. While picketing and handing out literature are important tools for raising awareness and signaling disagreement, they rely on the audience's ability to interpret the message. This indirectness highlights the complexity of conveying meaningful communication through symbolic or physical acts, which may not always result in an immediate or direct exchange of ideas.