How’ve you been? Don’t tell me you’ve been “Good.” How have things really been?
I prefer the word “Bad.” I don’t prefer that things have been going bad, but I prefer “bad” to “good.” It’s more fun.
I think the next exhibition at the gallery is going to be the last show I’ll be formally helping out with as an intern. The curator said she would love to have me for three more months, but I feel September will be a good time to part ways. I have some music functions coming up and I want to write about them because I still want to write. I learned a lot about the art world and it’s been fun meeting all the interesting people who have come through, but it’s never been about participating for me. It’s about the peak behind the curtain. Like Edgar Degas’ ballerinas, waiting in the wings, watching.
Yesterday, between install work, the curator leaned back, smiling and tired.
“The opening reception is like… ‘the scene.’ All of this we’re doing… is ‘behind the scene’.”
I replied, “We’re making it happen.”
When I think about my experience with the gallery, I think about what little Jenni would’ve thought. I waltzed in one May day and made an opportunity pop out of thin air. Do life be like that? I had the chance to work with women who I know will all continue to go on and do great things. Last night, completely happenstance, the curator and I ended up at the same restaurant. She overheard me asking, “How much is 3 ounces?” (it’s one shot, fyi) and patted me on the head. We pulled a table together and had a cute meal with Tori as Lily served us. She told me to pace myself, as she always does and as she knows I never do, and fed me some lamb. It was great. Great and a sign, as all these signs happen to be.
I’ll be sad to say goodbye in September, but… it’s not forever.
A STOR¥ BY ? 