Some narratives are worth preserving.

Digging through rubble was the start.

Some things are worth forgetting.

Rewriting a memory was needed.

The subway system worked out just fine. It reminded me of Tokyo’s system with the multi-levels and signage in an unreadable let alone unpronounceable language juxtaposed with our native English. Once inside, the tunnels were like an underground maze without the advantage of natural landmarks to indicate north and south. I learned early on to refer to an old-school compass, the kind with a magnetic needle in order to correctly orient our subway maps.
This artwork started from an ordinary snapshot inside a subway car filled with a jumble of commuters, backpacks, and umbrellas. I liked the final result of eliminating the visual clutter by painting on the photo. A stranger’s lone arm and the subway pole were the only things left.

6:43 PM. Fresh from a visit to see two specific shows, the “Cave Temples of Dunhuang” and “Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium.” Speaking of the diverse themes at a single venue, the Getty has done a great job pulling this off. I was really happy to see the China show having returned from there a few weeks ago. Seeing the exhibit gives added incentive to revisit mainland China. The exhibits are free and parking is $15. I recommend both shows. The “doctored” photo was shot at the southern end of the campus and started as a mundane image of a lawn and wall.