Thank you from the heart and soul

Every spring, a couple of mallard ducks drop down from the sky into our pond and swim around in their mating ritual, reminding us that winter is really over. We returned too late for them this year, even as snow storm pounded Chicago. But we're home now; it's quiet here, and purple crocuses have bloomed already. More than 175,000 people came to see the artwork Paintings Below Zero at Millennium Park, but today the wall is down - now just a reflection in all our minds.


Got a note from Matt Hotz.

I took a moment and looked up yesterday and was amazed that two months have just blurred by. Been feeling a bit sad. 'Spose after such an intensive time invested in one thing and then to kill it and then pack it all up, I've been left empty for emotion.


Gord’s hockey buddy Brett McGillvray and his wife, Carole Ann Glover, invited us to dinner for a “Best and Worst’. Everybody gets a turn. You narrow the time frame, or the event, and then you find the moment which stands out for you as best, and the one you’d classify as worst. The topic was the past two and a half months.


For us, Chicago.

I had a hard time coming up with a Worst. I did have one absolute Best. Here are others:

One of the earliest was learning that CN was going to be the presenting sponsor - a Canadian company who felt they'd be proud to affiliate with Paintings Below Zero. At opening, Jim Foote’s comments that they were very pleased with their sponsorship, a Best.

Millennium Park was definitely a Best, the location, the artwork, the people who worked with us.


Another: that employees at the City of Chicago Cultural Department were reading - and enjoying the blog. Next, I learned that a decision had been made to put the blog on the official website, so that access to the adventures of Paintings Below Zero would be available to anyone who logged on to Museum of Modern ice.com


For me, the many people (of all ages and walks of life) who came to see the work and who shared their comments with Gord as he worked on the wall: an enduring Best. Every day he would come back, exhausted, but fulfilled in a way I hadn’t expected.


“People are just so thankful,” he would say, with humility and disbelief. What became a lasting Best was the sense of emotional attachment which they seemed to have towards the painting, as if they were trying to capture something of this ephemeral work and take it home: a photo, an autograph, a conversation.


There was continual fascination: from creation, to installation, to the changing



nature of the art. A delight in the flame-torching -- watching the color re-emerge from the white frost.


Warmth would soften the pieces and rain deepened the colors and made them shine. Drips would freeze mid-drop when the weather changed quickly.


Colors migrated towards the edges of the artwork, sat on the top and sometimes, fell off. There was a lacy stage. Here is a piece which fell onto Matt and then onto the cement.


A thousand pieces of art were created every time someone cropped a piece of the work into a photograph.


People came back two, three, four times to see what had changed and why. I overheard many explaining it to each other, to their children and friends, and when they couldn’t go on, a tap on the blue jacket to question the docent or crew member.


As the month went on, pieces which were made in the cold dark Fulton were brought out, and we delighted in seeing them again against the evolved painting.


Intelligentsia was a Best.


The Fulton, a strange and wonderful Best.


There were so many qualified people working for our project, doing the things that in the past, I had struggled singlehandedly to do -- especially press and marketing.





Every time Christine or Brooke called me, it meant there was another article, or interview to be scheduled which would get the word out.


We were inundated with requests, and in the end, we earned a list of press mentions that any project would be proud to have.

And every time I got an email or call from Lauren Gentile, Pam Morin or Sarah Best it was some new and beautiful piece of artwork which they had designed. Would I look over the copy? Could I provide captions for the photos? These tasks were joys.



When I opened the door to our suite at The Hard Rock Hotel, I knew we would be happy there. But I didn’t know how great the staff would be.


The hotel itself was two blocks down Michigan Avenue from Millennium Park, and one block from the Lakeshore Athletic Club; it couldn’t have been more convenient. Modern design, spacious and clean, with a good view of the city out several windows - we could see the park. Eventually, we were upgraded to their penthouse suite, which made the long stay really enjoyable.


In the end, I felt honored to have been a guest there. The staff -- to a person -- was accommodating, friendly, professional and personal, just the right touch. From bellhop to the concierge, to front desk staff, to guards, engineers, to house keeping, everyone was in my ‘best’ category.

The Consular Ball was a Best. Gord was guest of honor, he met Aldo Castillo and the beautiful dress I wore stayed up. I could have sung "I feel pretty." And then, to top it off - I met Abou Bakayoko, and found a long lost friend, his uncle.



The blizzard -- just days before opening,


after two days of unseasonable winter so warm we couldn't install anything -- was one of the Best moments: adventure, determination, solidarity -- success!



And now for the thanks . . . I want to say how much we appreciated the open arms and energy of the people of Chicago, whose many and varied contributions made our project so successful.


Thanks to the generous people we met who saw we were strangers and invited us into their homes, who fed us their food and held their glasses up in toasts to our success.


To those who took us out for lunch or dinner on the town, who organized receptions who introduced us. We felt embraced, and we are grateful for your generosity.




To the press who took the time to listen carefully to Gord’s intention, ideas, who came back with questions, curiosity and then translated what they heard and saw to their audience, thank you.


To the people who sent me photographs for the blog: the painting was captured in a myriad of ways, and our diversity as creative people is expressed in every single shot. Your generosity and talent, definitely a Best.

To those who sought us out - to create their own related projects - Danielle Dai, Friendly Joe, Karen from Icy Indiana, Susannah Doolin, Judith Dunbar Hines, Evening Associates, Metro Squash, Museum of Science & Industry - and others who sent emails, phone calls - thank you for adding to what we brought to the table.

To all the volunteers who spent your free time outside, sometimes in bitter cold, just to bring your knowledge of Paintings Below Zero to others, thank you.


To the interns who worked hard and cheerfully alongside us, thank you so very much for your hard work and optimism.


To the City of Chicago Cultural Affairs Department and the City of Chicago Tourism Department, thank you. First, for taking a chance on this out-of-the-box project -- and then for all the diligent and cheerful work you did to realize its success. Lucas, you were just so solid. Jason, a treat to deal with. Joseph, never a better Budget Man.


Opening night was an unqualified Best. Walking to the tent, almost late, I could see it on everyone's faces - their pride and excitement. We had worked hard in all kinds of weather, we had done it, and we were going to celebrate -- together. Mayor Richard Daley, thank you for hosting Paintings Below Zero.



To Colleen Duke and Georges Rioux of the Canadian Consulate: a hundred thanks for the hundreds of things you did for us so well - to promote the project, to make us feel welcome and comfortable. You were definitely All-Out Best.

Our wonderful, inspirational crew on the ground & cast at home: you were The Best Ever.



My Very Best moment was one afternoon when Gord returned, exhausted and exhilarated from working the painting with huge crowds on Chase Promenade.



"I never thought I could find something that would move people the way your work does. But seeing the people respond to the paintings . . . I think I've done it."

Thank you to my cousin Julia, for making the trip from Indiana, to my sisters for keeping in touch - through the blog and by phone & email. To Lori for making the huge effort to be there on opening with your family.


To everyone -- we could feel your excitement from the first day we were here. Thank you for saying yes to Paintings Below Zero in December, and for saying yes, yes, yes everyday.







Photo credits: Caitlin Hicks, Colleen Duke, Matt Hotz, Susan Young, Patrick Pyszka, Jason Lewis.

Post Script to a painting in winter

As Hilary and Obama tough it out in the final bid for the democratic nomination for president of the United States, as those desperate to influence the outcome have created a ‘scandal’ which tries a little too hard to smear Obama, we were on a plane to Minneapolis to meet with nine movers and shakers who are interested in bringing Paintings Below Zero to the twin cities.


My emailer yielded a note sent February 11th, which I just have to reproduce here, along with a neon memory of the installation, captured by Matt Hotz.

Congratulations on a splendid artistic endeavor for the city of Chicago!! As one of the underwriters of the recently installed Agora exhibit, I can't thank you enough for your commitment to artistic excellence in these elements, just outstanding!! KUDO's. Husband and I have always enjoyed all the winter festivals in Canada, especially Quebec (drank my first Caribou with Bill Shatner), Montreal, Toronto. You have managed to bring that kind of winter land joy to Chicago. THANK YOU!!!

--Gia McDermott


I’m playing catch up, but delight in remembering how Chicago has put us through our paces up until the last gasp. Our post wake ‘voluminous social calendar’ (as once described by Colleen Duke) included dinner with Colleen’s sister and mother. Above: totally hitting it off at wake dinner at Reza's.


Saturday, we stopped by the wall, already under much duress. Tim, Ari, Lucas et al (the Katies, Matt, Laura & John) had been at it for hours already.


It was just too painful, I couldn’t stay. Instead, squash at the Windy City Open in the Women’s 3.0 category. I lost my first match 3-0 (9-5,9-6, 9-7 because I didn't run) but won my second match 3-0 in a slam dunk.

Then, Saturday night, Amit’s mother, Judith Hasak, created a fabulous meal and theatrical occasion for her family and longtime Israeli friends. I learned the meaning of the word “goy” as we were two such creatures that night. She invited me to read/perform, and again I pulled out a couple of different characters.


At one point Nehemiah left the room to get me a kleenex -- then afterwards, told a moving story of his own. For us, an unforgettable connection with Amit and his remarkable family continues. I left my glittery jacket - Judith says it means we will return to Chicago. (And we will - Gord has a show at Aldo Castillo Gallery in Oct).


Sunday, I won my 3rd match 3 - 0, as I listened to Gord’s last minute direction: “don’t leave anything on the court” and to Peter Wendt’s “lob the ball deep”. I placed 2nd overall. Here's Peter, who plays Australian squash, who coached me.


And Imran, Lakeshore Athletic Club's squash pro.


It was a warm Sunday at the Museum of Contemporary Art where, after a delicious brunch, we took in the Gordon Matta Clark exhibit. Chicago just goes on and on. Jody Oshita-Bajor had given us tickets to the Canuks/Blackhawks game, but we were too exhausted. Then, onto a reception in Gord’s honor at the new, magnificent and thoroughly modern home of architect Brad Lynch. Georges and Sharon had just arrived back from Ottawa; Patrick Pyszka and the famous Emily toasted along with Colleen, Kieran and new friends, guests at the party.


Not to be forgotten, we had in the past week a warm and generous reception from Karen from Icy Indiana - she sought us out after her mother sent her a tear out from Reader’s Digest or some such magazine, (advertising the exhibit) and after reading the blog, as we have many many things in common. She’s keen to see Paintings Below Zero in South Korea and Columbus, Indiana. She came to Chicago expressly to see the wall, and came up early to catch my reading at Aldo Castillo Gallery. Here she is in front of the wall.



A long lost relative of Gordon’s, Gordon McLellan paid a visit, bearing family history and some sketchy news and family stories from earlier days when everyone was alive. Here they are, the two ruddy faced Gordons, at the wall at the wake.


We’re flying over Texas right now, strangely en route to Vancouver (one of the oddities of the American Airlines sponsorship). Yesterday the Twin Cities rallied with a wonderful idea for two installations - one in each city - to coincide with the finishing of the bridge repair. Art as healing. And here they are, those who can make it happen, post meeting in that wonderful surrounded-by-snow-parks-and-rec property just down the street from The Walker Museum.



It’s hot out the window and I can see how my life in front of me is going to take up all the visual space in my mind. So, I’m penning closure thoughts about Chicago on my laptop next to the window. Outside, below the landscape changes. We're heading west - into spring.

Come back - for photos, thanks.

Photo credits: Patrick Pyszka, Colleen Duke, Matt Hotz, Caitlin Hicks

Goodbye, Chicago

Today I counted four gloves, on separate sidewalks, abandoned for spring. We spent the day packing and leave tomorrow for Minneapolis. On Wednesday, the west coast. The wall is down, and I don't want to glance at its destruction, or note its absence on the promenade.


On Friday, our Dear Chicago poet Jessie (from Intelligentsia) read us a poem as we gathered with our candles. From the City of Chicago, Jason Moy had come to say goodbye. He has been wonderful.


Neil Spears was there, and friends, many friends we've made during our two and a half month stay. Jake & Alberta were there with a poem and a card.

Greetings, Gordon, Caitlin, Sons and all PBZ Ice Wall connection. Thank you from the heart and soul of Chicago. This poem, "A fire for you" is dedicated to all. Eternal, Jake & Alberta

.


Lois Roelf's husband spoke on behalf of the people of Chicago, and Tim gave a stirring speech.




We were just making it up, on the spot, like they do at wakes. How it touched us, how we loved it, how we will miss the colors and the crowds on the promenade.


We hugged each other, as much in celebration as clinging to our connection, forged in ice. Spring was in the air as the light drained from the sky.






Although only a month on display, I couldn't imagine Chicago without it: the wall, the ice, the colors, just so.



Photo credits: Colleen Duke, Caitlin Hicks, Patrick Pyszka



Next: Last words, new friends, a squash tourney, a reading, a reception, Aldo -- and many thanks.

Last day with paintings up

On our last day with painting up, it looks like rain, and the temperature is just above freezing. This morning I finally got a photo of Jessie, our Dear Chicago poet.



Dear Chicago,

They said rain was the source
of your wisdom. A hill not here.
when the drip becomes dots
the day will finally close.

love,

a sea not here



And here we are, on our last day with paintings up, at the breakfast meeting.



“I’m ready for it to be over,” Ari said.” And then we told our stories to each other, about our adventures - and tortures, and everything in between. It wasn't a comprehensive conversation, as we are missing so many who participated. But we had a few laughs. And then they went off to put more new pieces on the ever changing painting.

When Gord returned for lunch he said, "There's quite a few people out there today, and they're all just as amazed as ever."



Tonight we’re going to have a Leaving Ceremony at the wall at 6 o’clock and you’re invited to come say a few words about what the wall meant to you, mutter a blessing -- something for Chicago after Paintings Below Zero on Chase Promenade.

Yesterday we went to the Milwaukee Art Museum, a stunning white structure on the lake, designed by Santiago Calatrava, with ‘wings’ which open and shut.



On the freeway, I captured that large billboard as we drove by. This is the one we saw in the taxi on December 15th, on our way into Chicago to begin the project.



Colleen Duke, Cultural Affairs Officer at the Canadian Consulate, drove us.



It was great to get out of the city for an ART excursion, and to see such fine design.



Then, we had a dinner date with Jody Oshita-Bajor at 96 floors up at the John Hancock building in the Signature room, that famous tall landmark on the Chicago skyline. She hosted us at dinner: Here we are after an absolutely fantastic meal and conversation about art, architecture and politics!



Here's Peter Bajor, Jody, Katherine Bajor, me, Mark Sexton, and Gord. Thank you, Jody!

When we got back, Trevor, who works the front desk at Hard Rock Hotel, told us that it was his last day.



Trevor is going onto San Diego, a new frontier for him, in his young life. He was fantastic during our stay - as were so many at the Hard Rock. Good luck, Trevor!

Photo credits: Caitlin Hicks, Matt Hotz

Bring your wishes, say goodbye

In alpine nothern Italy in the small town of Fenestrelle, you could hear the cowbells tinkling in the distance, as sheep roamed the hillside down the mountain below. In winter, when the livestock were housed in barns, it was church bells tolling across the valley which became the sound of the morning. (www.paintingsbelowzero.blogspot.com)


Now we’re in Chicago, and it’s the ambulance siren and the blasting honk of the firetruck which fills up the space between the buildings and creeps into every ear in every building any time, day or night. Gord says it’s probably that the emergency workers want to remind all of us that they are doing their essential job, day and night.


I am seeing and hearing again all the things we discovered about Chicago - what makes it uniquely Chicago. After two and a half months here, I had become part of the daily crush, opening and closing the tail of my scarf, pulling on my gloves for the umpteenth time as I pushed open the revolving door and set myself against the cold.



But these are our last days here, and my eyes and ears are open again, cherishing what I experience, in heightened awareness as if saying goodbye to a lover.


Yesterday, the snow, that pristine gift from winter has fallen flake by flake and gently made everything uniformly white. At 7 AM the rooftops and sidewalks were blanketed. And then, of course, the people with shovels and cars and footsteps muddied it all in their determined daily rush.


Still, at minus 3 degrees, it felt balmy, and I just had to go over to the wall again and see how it sits there on Chase Promenade, lighting up the monochromatic winter landscape.


They tell us that over 112,000 people have visited the painting. I got a farewell email today, “Good luck to you! You've been a fantastic winter treat for all of us!”


On Friday, we’re going to have a ceremony of leaving. We’re bringing our wishes for Chicago, and asking others who have loved the wall to bring their own. Say goodbye.


At six o’clock we’re going to light the candles and melt one painting from the wall, a symbolic sacrifice for the destruction we know must follow.


People are already talking to us about how they will miss the colors. Maybe we’ll have some pieces that some can take away with them and put in their yards, like we did last time.


On Tuesday, Aldo Castillo hosted a reading of my work at his gallery on Franklin Street in River North. Almost everyone who said they’d attend eventually arrived; we had an audience of about 25 people. I read two well worn characters from my repertoire, felt like a singer who pulls out a popular song for a loving audience; and then read a chapter from my-almost-finally-tweaked novel. Pretty serious stuff, with one very ‘out there’ character. I think it went well, at least it was fantastic for me, to remember the times in our lives when we toured theatre and worked our art project on the same excursion (in the late nineties at the London International Financial Futures Exchange, and on weekends touring Singing the Bones ). It just felt great. To give my work the light of day, to perform again.


Gord gave a blue jacket to Amit, to acknowledge how much a part of our Chicago crew he was, as king of The Fulton. Amit gave it immediately to his father, Nehemiah, who wore it proudly throughout the reading. We stayed until 8. Lois Roelfs was there with her husband; she lives across from the park and has contributed photos to the blog.


In fact, every Friday night, she and friends have a party at her place to celebrate the wall and watch its many changes.

One more thing. It all started when I snapped Arquilla’s photo at the Consular Ball. She gave me her email address, and later as I wrote to send her the photo, I noticed her name. So I took a chance and wrote her a note.


"Dear Arquilla & Abou,

Here is the photo I took of you at the Chicago Consular Ball. Your name - Bakayoko - is one familiar to me and I am wondering if Abou may know a man I knew in Geneva, Switzerland, many years ago. (1975)

He was the Consulate General for The Ivory Coast in Geneva. I knew him simply as" Monsieur Bakayoko" -- and I lived with him for 3 months in a little town called Chambesy, working as Au pair for two young boys, his son Frank and Jacob (Frank's cousin). They were both five years old at the time. Franck's mother had died, so the boys needed someone to look after them.

A few years ago, I returned to Chambesy & Geneva, asking after him at the consulate, but they only said that he no longer worked in Switzerland.

Since you are in the diplomatic realm ... and your name is the same, I thought I'd contact you to see if you have any news of this man.

You looked so beautiful that night, enjoy the photo.”

Her note, after the Consular Ball, said simply,

“Caitlin,

Your email was quite a surprise and proof that the world is truly a small place. Monsieur Bakayoko, is in fact Abou's Uncle. He is now the Secretary of State for the Ivory Coast. Frank lives in Paris and has a small daughter. Abou is actually in the Finance realm and myself, I sit on the Board for the International Visitors Center of Chicago.”



And so we had supper together. Abou told me how the Bakayokos I knew have lived their lives since then. Abou, who reminds me of his uncle, gave me contact information for both Monsieur and Frank. and I can’t wait to call!

Photo credits: Caitlin Hicks, Colleen Duke, Matt Hotz, Gord Halloran

Our final Sunday: sunshine, artwork, fans

Photo credits: Matt Hotz, Caitlin Hicks

Romance, fun & beauty

David Kay and Metro Squash were all over it today with their leaders: Max Laverty, Paul Cussen, Christine Bonkamp and all the kids. Later, we got a note: Caitlin, thanks again for the presentation. Fantastic exhibit, the kids had a great time. Paul Cussen, Metro Squash.

Blue jackets out on the back wall, installing in the sunshine. Crowds, thick with curiosity, on all sides.





So many fans, gathering round, how could anyone possibly count this many people?





New paintings went up, as another sea of Saturday strollers filled the promenade.









What an adventure for everyone, to work, to see the work being done. To explain to the children. To feel the sun, to watch the color migrate to the edge into lace.









To be in family.


































This family came from Port Huron, Michigan, just to see Paintings Below Zero, the wall.

Here's Mel Jones and Susan Morrow, who, it turns out, work with Amit.



Photo credits for Saturday: Caitlin Hicks, Matt Hotz, Jessica Levin.

Next: A story, 32 years old, resurfaces in a chance meeting in Chicago. Our last Sunday at Millennium Park! Have you been blogged?