Paul's response to Carey's solo:
"If you were a billboard today, what would it say?" this was the question posed to
me by Carey. I immediately responded "PROVIDER".
I received my instructions via note on a nice clean sheet of notebook paper:
"Horseshoe traffic circle at Sandburg, 9:30 am. I approach. You walk until you're
done."
Being of German descent, I timed it so I would be IN the horseshoe of the traffic
circle at EXACTLY 9:30, easy to do as Sandburg has a digital clock out front. 9:30
on the dot, I'm in the traffic circle, but no Carey. (I would learn later that we
must have circled each other in this very small area like a Keystone Cop
choreography. How two people do not see each other in a 40 foot space with no
columns in it remains a mystery to me, but that's what happened. According to my
senses and experience, NO CAREY. I anticipated a kind of rich providing coming my
way. Carey -- the little I know her, just 30 minutes or so -- is highly energized
and I think has a flair for drama, and could be a fountain of goodwill. But NO
CAREY.
And then it dawns on me: BRILLIANT, EXCELLENT, FANTASTIC, SUBTLE, DEEP, EXCELLENT
(BECAUSE IT WAS EXCELLENT). Carey is providing me with SPACE TO MYSELF. I walk to
the gym. I float, thinking about the excellence and euphoria of someone giving me
this space on my own. So clean, unobstructed, private and yet provided for. It was
definitely different than just going to the gym. It was a gift of the gym. The
focus and attention of it being Carey's piece, completely energized my gym
experience. Heightened my attention dramatically and, well, excellently. Through
the whole hour I was there, I kept sighing and laughing to myself. What a simple
stroke of genius.
Later when I found out that Carey had intended something else, I hoped she would
genuinely understand how wonderful the absence of action had been. It was so
special and moving, even if accidental. So I wonder what Carey takes from this?
I still do want to receive the cornucopia that I think Carey has in her, but this
one was just right.
And this is Carey's version of the solo:
ReplyDelete*PAUL’S EVIDENCE *
BILLBOARD: “PROVIDER”
I intended a brief performance for Paul. I left a note with directions. He
followed directions, but somehow our understanding of directions diverged
and what was intended never materialized. What happened instead turned out
to be more fabulous than what was intended. Paul took a nice long walk
alone, with no responsibilities to anyone other than himself. He never
received the intended solo (excerpt below), but he was overjoyed with the
fact that I provided him with space for himself. Beautiful!
THE NOTE:
“PAUL
9:30 AM
SANDBURG HORSESHOE DRIVEWAY
I APPROACH, AND YOU BEGIN YOUR WALK.
YOU WALK.
WHEN YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH, YOU RETURN TO SANDBURG”
THE SCENARIO INTENDED (IMPROVISED EXCERPT)
I approach Paul.
“I approach Paul. He stands at the Sandburg Horseshoe waiting. He waits. I
approach. I approach as he’s waiting. I provide him with information.
Information about Paul. I provide Paul with a description of Paul. Paul
thinks about walking. He considers where he might walk. He eventually begins
walking. He walks. Paul walks. Paul walks down the street. Paul thinks as he
walks. He thinks about things. There are so many things for Paul to think.
He walks and he thinks. He thinks and he walks. Paul walking, thinking, I
providing information, describing Paul to Paul. Paul is described by me as I
walk in the footsteps of Paul. Paul has long legs. His stride is excellent.
His walking form, his stride, he legs are all excellent. This is Paul.
Excellent. This is real time, happening, walking, talking, and thinking. I
think. I wait. Paul walks. How long will Paul walk? What will Paul think?
Paul thinks about being a provider. Paul provides his shoes with a place to
go. He provides his legs with something to do. Something meaningful. He
provides his mind with thoughts. He provides. He provides. Paul provides. So
many things are provided by Paul. Provider. Provider. Paul. …”