Pat Steir, “Lovely Day Waterfall,” 2009
[Part I is here.]
I try to enjoy art wherever I find it, and I did get a welcome aesthetic charge yesterday from gazing at Pat Steir‘s lyrical “Lovely Day Waterfall.”
But it wasn’t such a “lovely day” for me, because of where I was situated for a good part of the afternoon—the waiting room of an outpatient facility (above) for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where my close friend, who recently had brain surgery, was getting an MRI before meeting at another outpatient facility with her less-than-encouraging neuro-oncologist.
I’m still recovering from a long, difficult day (much tougher, of course, for my friend, who lives alone). So forgive my postponing normal posting until tomorrow. What I need to write right now is a detailed summary of all the information and instructions that were thrown at my understandably confused and dismayed friend. I’m her designated notetaker.
Margaret Edson‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Wit, about a literature professor with metastatic cancer, which deeply moved me many years ago during its Off Broadway run (especially because I had been a college English major with a particularly fondness for the poetry of John Donne), has never seemed as relevant (except that the doctors’ formulaic pleasantry at MSK is not, “How are you feeling today?” but “You look great!”). Don’t get me wrong, though: MSK’s doctors provided effective and compassionate care for both of my late parents, whose early-stage cancers were successfully treated there.
Fortunately, my spirits were lightened this morning by a follow-up phone call from the venue that’s the frontrunner for CultureDaughter‘s and fabulous future CultureSon-in-Law‘s wedding. I do have lots to be happy about.
Also bringing cheer is the initial response to CultureGrrl‘s Last Gasp Fund Drive (although there’s been a complete lull today, after an encouraging five-day flurry of clicks on my “Donate” button). The majority of responders were recidivists, having previously supported the blog. I hope that those of you who last gave long ago but have not yet responded to my current appeal will consider renewing your voluntary “subscriptions.”
I’ve been particularly gratified to see a significant number of new inductees to the Cult of CultureGrrl. Welcome, fledgling art-lings!
Even more important than the financial support, though, have been the statements of appreciation I’ve received along with some subventions. At a time when I’ve started doubting the value of what I do, I needed these votes of confidence.
Here’s a sampling:
You perform an invaluable service precisely because you are a thorn in the side of the artworld. [I had written that those who “view me as a thorn in the side of the artworld” should not contribute.]
I’m an art historian and teach at [name of college]. I read CultureGrrl every day and often use info you share in my classes. [The CultureGrrl Curriculum lives!]
After a long day, reading your blog is as enjoyable as a guilty pleasure. [I’m a big fan of hedonism-in-moderation.]
And perhaps my favorite:
Your coverage of Alice Walton‘s Crystal Bridges has been better than anything I have read in the regular press. [That’s been my objective—on that story and many others.]
You’re a classy group of givers—art history professors, students, museum professionals, lawyers, dealers and (perhaps my favorite) a famous art writer with whom I’ve sometimes disagreed on the blog.
Does this mean I have to start playing nice? Maybe until this fund drive reaches its goal (if, in fact, it does so).
On second thought, I think I’ll go sharpen my thorns!