The Office Assistant - The comfort of routine
The morning routine is in place - wake up, put on the 'uniform', fire up the 10 toe express (thanks for the phrase bp), hit the footpath, get to work and take a break, enjoy the 'regulars' coming by. Fo almost 4 weeks I have not had to think about trouble shooting the issues on my projects and life. There has been security in this process. And a clear lack of thinking when compared to my 'other life'. Where has the month gone - besides being shown by the art of work in crocheted plastic? Dare I admit to enjoying the familiarity of the environment with the installation? Once I am at work, it goes like this: chat - crochet - chat chat - crochet - chat chat chat - croch - take photo of the bums of everyone at the ATM machine - chat - cro - chat chat chat chat chat....
I wonder how Freeway Man is going in this rain? Given his artificially 'natural' look, I kept thinking that if he goes outside without taking necessary precautions, it will be like an oil spill waiting to happen.
One of the most interesting things to happen late in the day was a visit by Becky. Basically she came down to tell me that she was experiencing a definite reaction to what I was doing, and it was definitely on the negative side of the analysis. Becky really wanted to find out why she was having such a reaction to my project, when there seemed to always be someone sitting in the chair chatting, which seems to indicate that something other than 'negative' is happening. She is the first person to tell me that her job gives her freedom from the other parts of her life, and yet, she doesn't see her security being defined by her job - does that imply it is through the other part of her life - the part that her job gives her freedom from? Compared to the others that have insisted on telling me how poorly they think I am performing without actually enquiring as to what is going on, this was a truly enjoyable encounter. Thankyou Becky for taking the time to find out what is going on in this little space - it is absolutely not at all what it might look like.
Quite a few curious visitors came by early -
including Don who is an art history expert on purple carpet paintings, and
Santa Bob, who now checks in frequently through the day. 
Robert, Adriennce and Lisa decided to have a meeting IN MY SPACE! 
Then Kathy came by - she is trying to get an office job with the City so that she has security and benefits after 15 years of making it on her own! She wants someone to look after her and her family.
Kevin brought his colleague Edith to visit, and to tell me that he has resigned from his secure City job, to go to a new role much closer to what he really wants to do - with a lower salary!! Bravo. 
Steve brought me up to date on all 57,000 street lights in Portland and how 90%+ are working at any one time - impressive. 
Roy is half Australian and was being completely non-p.c. with his cadillac shirt, but being the Hazmat Man does have its perks. 
Mary wants to fly helicopters.
Warren IS a writer - he is ahead of me on this one. 
I didn't find out what Terry wanted to really do - or if he could answer the question even.
John opts for security with a mortgage, which means he needs this job - so his real boss is the house. 
Alan "I can't tell you my last name" is always a bit pissy with me - and probably everyone else too, but Mary Beth was as warm as her salwaar kameez outfit - even if the bindi washed off in the shower. And most of this was before 11 when the rechargeables in the camera died. 
Skye and Sharon came by - as much for the photo op as anything I think. All of a sudden the camera kicked into action for one last shot - a bit like my crochet today - and then the day was 'done'. The walk home was relaxing. There is something quite beautiful about rain, nature, freshness, and happiness.
I can't stop smiling. And I get to do it all again tomorrow.
I wonder how Freeway Man is going in this rain? Given his artificially 'natural' look, I kept thinking that if he goes outside without taking necessary precautions, it will be like an oil spill waiting to happen.
One of the most interesting things to happen late in the day was a visit by Becky. Basically she came down to tell me that she was experiencing a definite reaction to what I was doing, and it was definitely on the negative side of the analysis. Becky really wanted to find out why she was having such a reaction to my project, when there seemed to always be someone sitting in the chair chatting, which seems to indicate that something other than 'negative' is happening. She is the first person to tell me that her job gives her freedom from the other parts of her life, and yet, she doesn't see her security being defined by her job - does that imply it is through the other part of her life - the part that her job gives her freedom from? Compared to the others that have insisted on telling me how poorly they think I am performing without actually enquiring as to what is going on, this was a truly enjoyable encounter. Thankyou Becky for taking the time to find out what is going on in this little space - it is absolutely not at all what it might look like.
Quite a few curious visitors came by early -
including Don who is an art history expert on purple carpet paintings, and
Santa Bob, who now checks in frequently through the day. 
Robert, Adriennce and Lisa decided to have a meeting IN MY SPACE! 
Then Kathy came by - she is trying to get an office job with the City so that she has security and benefits after 15 years of making it on her own! She wants someone to look after her and her family.
Kevin brought his colleague Edith to visit, and to tell me that he has resigned from his secure City job, to go to a new role much closer to what he really wants to do - with a lower salary!! Bravo. 
Steve brought me up to date on all 57,000 street lights in Portland and how 90%+ are working at any one time - impressive. 
Roy is half Australian and was being completely non-p.c. with his cadillac shirt, but being the Hazmat Man does have its perks. 
Mary wants to fly helicopters.
Warren IS a writer - he is ahead of me on this one. 
I didn't find out what Terry wanted to really do - or if he could answer the question even.
John opts for security with a mortgage, which means he needs this job - so his real boss is the house. 
Alan "I can't tell you my last name" is always a bit pissy with me - and probably everyone else too, but Mary Beth was as warm as her salwaar kameez outfit - even if the bindi washed off in the shower. And most of this was before 11 when the rechargeables in the camera died. 
Skye and Sharon came by - as much for the photo op as anything I think. All of a sudden the camera kicked into action for one last shot - a bit like my crochet today - and then the day was 'done'. The walk home was relaxing. There is something quite beautiful about rain, nature, freshness, and happiness. I can't stop smiling. And I get to do it all again tomorrow.
1 Comments:
Hi Zen.
I'll add a bit to your blog, another form of stepping across the threshold from art observer to art participant.
My initial negative reaction after reading the Tribune cover story about your installation was that your message is that the people who work in the Portland Building are not living fulfilling lives and are clinging to the false comfort of our jobs. I'm somewhat skeptical that freedom or happiness are any less illusory than security and feel compassion toward people who are seeking any of these things. I wasn't able to entirely read your Aussie humour or intentions.
Writing my comments in your book when you were sitting right there would have seemed odd (in a way that writing to your blog does not) so I eventually came in to talk.
The questions you asked are somewhat threatening, because I assumed that the "right" answer would be to want to be an artist or writer anything but work in an office building. But I was able to come back to you with a different answer that doesn't seem to require me to dodge the question or to give up all of my conventional attachments the way you have.
Here is a piece about Sukkot, the Jewish holiday that occurred while you were crocheting in our lobby. The fragile sukkah reminds me of your quilt or afghan (as I always call crocheted blankets.)
I'm impressed by your ability to predict that I would miss you when you leave. I'm pretty sure I will.
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