the UK

Visited Goldsworthy's studio on Thursday. I was at the local B&B and received a phone call in my room. "Andy Goldsworthy's studio is on the line," I heard. I was jumping out of my knickers. I ran downstairs filled with glee thinking it was Andy himself on the phone...well...it was Eric, his assistant, but just as well. So I hopped on the bike outside and rode through the countryside to the next town where his studio was located in Penpont. Felt like I was living the life as the wind blew through my hair and pastures full of idyllic dairy cows passed me by. I had a dream the night before that I met Goldsworthy, so I knew it would be a good day. I seem to have "prophetic" dreams like this quite often.

Eric told me bits about Andy. He's apparently quite removed from the world, but a person like anyone else. Told me a story about a guy who told Andy he wouldn't make it, when he was young and just starting out, but then later asked him to do a lecture for his foundation after he did make it. Andy agreed to do the lecture, but then didn't show up at the last minute as revenge. Told me about how Andy turned red in the face when an old Scottish lady was more interested in Eric (because he was wearing a kilt with the pattern of the clan her family shared) than Andy after an exhibition opening at the Met in NY. This seemed to tickle Eric. Apparently, most of the arches aren't built by Andy but by Eric. He was hired by Andy 7 years ago after they had formed a relationship. Eric was working at a quarry where Andy got a lot of his stone from.

I saw the archives and learned just how important sketching, documenting, organizing, and always churning out work is...even bad work. I'm such a perfectionist that it's hard for me to do work when I think it might suck, but I just have to go forward anyway.

I think Eric really enjoyed talking to me. I really enjoyed listening. I even got a free copy of Rivers and Tides after my visit!

The next day, Friday, I was supposed to take the bus out of Thornhill into Dumfries and go from there to Manchester.

It didn't show up.
There I was, on the side of the highway in the middle of the countryside...waiting.
I was getting anxious because I was supposed to catch the bus out of Dumfries at 11:30. It was already 10:50. According to the timetable, it takes twenty minutes to get from where I was to Dumfries. I'll give it ten more minutes and if nothing shows up, I'll hitchhike.

10:55
Couldn't wait.
"Guess it's time to stick that thumb out," I announced to myself.
So out came the thumb.

Cars swam by. Drivers glanced at me and went on. "Guess being a young, harmless (and defenseless) Asian isn't helping me out this time," I thought.

A cyclist and his accompanying van passed me by. They were driving at a slow 25 mph as I smiled at them, thumb high in the air. Still though, no hope.

A couple minutes later, I noticed the same van coming back towards me.
"Heading to Dumfries?"
"Yes! I'm trying to catch a bus out there and mine didn't show up!"

I tossed my things in the back (or more accurately, hauled them in) and jumped up front. There were two of them. One had injured his ankle and was taking a couple of days off. The other, of course, was the driver. They were English. As we caught up with the cyclist I learned they were cycling south from the Highlands to raise money for cancer, leukemia specifically. Cycling for 2 weeks straight. Cool.

They were very nice men with hopes up for Obama. They told me that I can always count on the English to help and American out. This is one moment where I can happily attest to being an American in Europe.

Saturday, I went to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with my dad's childhood friend and his wife. I really enjoyed myself and sharing art with them. I gathered some inspiration and learned more about Isamu Noguchi. Apparently, he's done theatre sets, playgrounds, sculpture, gardens, furniture, and lamps. Guess I've just got to do gardens, furniture and lamps now. He also believed that art could bring out much good in life...that it has a higher purpose necessary for the enjoyment of life. Was also very interested in the affect and history of space and place. He studied places of social gathering, leisure spaces, and memorials, places of myth and ritual, the pyramids and the gardens of Japan. I'd love to study this more as well. WWII had a significant impact on his work as well. I'll definitely read more about him and his work. He's also an Asian American like Maya Lin, someone I also admire. They're both genius though...and I'm just an Asian American. Darn.

Staying in Manchester with my dad's friend, Uncle Ronnie and Auntie Queenie. I sound like Amy Tan. It's fun to learn more about my dad, what he was like when he was younger, through his friend though. All I ever get to hear about my dad from my dad is how hard-working he was. I think I've given them an overdose of art though. Enjoying the food, the feeling of being home through the sound of Cantonese, TVB (a Hong Kong based tv station), and the smells of Canton cooking. And of course staying in their immaculate guest bedroom that feels like a 5-star hotel. Living in the lap of luxury for now.