Can & Did

Last night Danzinger Projects held an opening for Can & Did, a new show featuring graphics, art, and photography from the Obama campaign. The room was packed. People shuffled between the works of art, squeezed by each other. A woman handed out wooden nickels from a paper bag. One side featured a portrait of our 44th president with the message "Yes We Did!" A flag adorned the other side, marking the year of the inaguration and Obama's place in line. "Take a few," she said. I did.

A woman passed by holding a flyer. Obama's campaign logo sat stolidly upon the white square. Jean asked her where she got it. "They're just inside the door," the woman said. "Before the coats." She pressed on towards the drinks line. Another woman pointed to the flyer and asked her where she found it. "They're just inside the door," she said. "Before the coats."

I took some photos of the art until I ran out of film. And then I remembered the camera on my phone. Three women passed wearing trucker hats. "I heart President Barack" was stitched along the crown. I took some pictures with my phone. I felt swept up in the good cheer and excitement.

I remembered the election four years ago—the excitement I felt casting my ballot and the disappointment I felt with the results. I remembered the weekend after, spent in Death Valley surrounded by similarly disappointed friends. I remembered welcoming the desolate surroundings and the lack of headline news.

Today I am hopeful. I had tempered my feelings during the election; I had tempered my feelings after the results. But yesterday afternoon, watching the inaguration and hearing Obama's measured words, and yesterday evening, surrouned in a small Chelsea gallery by people excited for the future, I allowed my emotions some freedom. I don't expect change to come swiftly, but this morning I feel as Jean feels; that there has been a shift. And while it may not be evident today or tomorrow, I am hopeful for the change that is coming.
Posted by eku at January 21, 2009 8:08 AM