How to pronounce "cal"

so Hi how are you guys doing um my name

so Hi how are you guys doing um my name

so Hi how are you guys doing um my name is cie and um if any of you in the room

is cie and um if any of you in the room

is cie and um if any of you in the room know me you probably know me by the name

know me you probably know me by the name

know me you probably know me by the name of swoon which is a tag name that I

of swoon which is a tag name that I

of swoon which is a tag name that I adopted I guess over 10 years ago when I

adopted I guess over 10 years ago when I

adopted I guess over 10 years ago when I started doing wheat paste out on the

started doing wheat paste out on the

started doing wheat paste out on the street illegally and tag name seemed

street illegally and tag name seemed

street illegally and tag name seemed like a good idea um and then it just

like a good idea um and then it just

like a good idea um and then it just kind of stuck with me I uh to be honest

kind of stuck with me I uh to be honest

kind of stuck with me I uh to be honest in person I hate to be called it I like

in person I hate to be called it I like

in person I hate to be called it I like to be called C

to be called C

to be called C and I just realized recently that I

and I just realized recently that I

and I just realized recently that I think it's because Swoon for me is kind

think it's because Swoon for me is kind

think it's because Swoon for me is kind of an idea um that has been generating

of an idea um that has been generating

of an idea um that has been generating and me for a lot of years and I think

and me for a lot of years and I think

and me for a lot of years and I think the thing that I would like to try and

the thing that I would like to try and

the thing that I would like to try and do today is explain that um so I'll

do today is explain that um so I'll

do today is explain that um so I'll start from the beginning um I went to

start from the beginning um I went to

start from the beginning um I went to school here at Pratt uh I studied

school here at Pratt uh I studied

school here at Pratt uh I studied painting I was from a very small town

painting I was from a very small town

painting I was from a very small town hello and um and when I got here you

hello and um and when I got here you

hello and um and when I got here you know I was really ready to kind of grow

know I was really ready to kind of grow

know I was really ready to kind of grow into this life as an artist but very

into this life as an artist but very

into this life as an artist but very very quickly I started to feel really

very quickly I started to feel really

very quickly I started to feel really suffocated by what seemed to me this

suffocated by what seemed to me this

suffocated by what seemed to me this sort of life that was laid out for me of

sort of life that was laid out for me of

sort of life that was laid out for me of like I was going to paint some pictures

like I was going to paint some pictures

like I was going to paint some pictures they were going to end up on a wall you

they were going to end up on a wall you

they were going to end up on a wall you know maybe that wall was in a gallery

know maybe that wall was in a gallery

know maybe that wall was in a gallery maybe it was going to be in a museum but

maybe it was going to be in a museum but

maybe it was going to be in a museum but it seemed like this kind of very

it seemed like this kind of very

it seemed like this kind of very straightforward thing where the only

straightforward thing where the only

straightforward thing where the only people that were ever necessarily going

people that were ever necessarily going

people that were ever necessarily going to appreciate what I was going to do

to appreciate what I was going to do

to appreciate what I was going to do would be the kind of people who were

would be the kind of people who were

would be the kind of people who were very comfortable going into galleries or

very comfortable going into galleries or

very comfortable going into galleries or who had enough the enough money and sort

who had enough the enough money and sort

who had enough the enough money and sort of spare time to go to museums um and so

of spare time to go to museums um and so

of spare time to go to museums um and so you know I was really really really

you know I was really really really

you know I was really really really hungry for context I wanted to be part

hungry for context I wanted to be part

hungry for context I wanted to be part of something larger than myself I wanted

of something larger than myself I wanted

of something larger than myself I wanted to embrace the world and become a part

to embrace the world and become a part

to embrace the world and become a part of the world and like looking back on it

of the world and like looking back on it

of the world and like looking back on it I think that my response to that desire

I think that my response to that desire

I think that my response to that desire was like quite literal like I I

was like quite literal like I I

was like quite literal like I I basically started making drawings and

basically started making drawings and

basically started making drawings and sort of gluing them to the world to

sort of gluing them to the world to

sort of gluing them to the world to walls and things so I uh I had a series

walls and things so I uh I had a series

walls and things so I uh I had a series of of drawings that I started they're

of of drawings that I started they're

of of drawings that I started they're portraits of people um in city and then

portraits of people um in city and then

portraits of people um in city and then sort of looking at architecture and

sort of looking at architecture and

sort of looking at architecture and looking at the way that people interact

looking at the way that people interact

looking at the way that people interact with cities and stuff and I thought that

with cities and stuff and I thought that

with cities and stuff and I thought that that project was going to go on for

that project was going to go on for

that project was going to go on for something like 2 months but I'm still

something like 2 months but I'm still

something like 2 months but I'm still doing it like over 10 years later so it

doing it like over 10 years later so it

doing it like over 10 years later so it was something that really started me on

was something that really started me on

was something that really started me on a path and I think that the first thing

a path and I think that the first thing

a path and I think that the first thing that really happened was like you know I

that really happened was like you know I

that really happened was like you know I was a young woman and I really had no

was a young woman and I really had no

was a young woman and I really had no sense of my ability to make any kind of

sense of my ability to make any kind of

sense of my ability to make any kind of change in the world and then suddenly In

change in the world and then suddenly In

change in the world and then suddenly In This Very concrete way I went outside I

This Very concrete way I went outside I

This Very concrete way I went outside I put up a wheat paste I walked by the

put up a wheat paste I walked by the

put up a wheat paste I walked by the next day and there it was and I had

next day and there it was and I had

next day and there it was and I had changed that street corner and so just

changed that street corner and so just

changed that street corner and so just that very very small thing of like okay

that very very small thing of like okay

that very very small thing of like okay it was a gray wall on the side of an

it was a gray wall on the side of an

it was a gray wall on the side of an abandoned Bodega and now it's a gry wall

abandoned Bodega and now it's a gry wall

abandoned Bodega and now it's a gry wall with a picture on it and it's you know

with a picture on it and it's you know

with a picture on it and it's you know so people can have a moment of

so people can have a moment of

so people can have a moment of connection with that and it's this very

connection with that and it's this very

connection with that and it's this very very tiny change but nonetheless for me

very tiny change but nonetheless for me

very tiny change but nonetheless for me to be able to see and read back that I

to be able to see and read back that I

to be able to see and read back that I could have an impact on things was was

could have an impact on things was was

could have an impact on things was was really really transformative um and I

really really transformative um and I

really really transformative um and I would say that it led me on a pretty

would say that it led me on a pretty

would say that it led me on a pretty long path that I'm still on and the

long path that I'm still on and the

long path that I'm still on and the other thing that was really great about

other thing that was really great about

other thing that was really great about working in that way was that I was

working in that way was that I was

working in that way was that I was having hundreds of different

having hundreds of different

having hundreds of different interactions and that was sort of what I

interactions and that was sort of what I

interactions and that was sort of what I was talking about about wanting context

was talking about about wanting context

was talking about about wanting context that once I started working in the city

that once I started working in the city

that once I started working in the city I started to get all this different kind

I started to get all this different kind

I started to get all this different kind of feedback from the pieces that I was

of feedback from the pieces that I was

of feedback from the pieces that I was making

making

making and one of those one of those stories

and one of those one of those stories

and one of those one of those stories that has stuck with me for years and it

that has stuck with me for years and it

that has stuck with me for years and it happened years ago but it has remained

happened years ago but it has remained

happened years ago but it has remained really important to me um happened this

really important to me um happened this

really important to me um happened this time that I was walking down a block

time that I was walking down a block

time that I was walking down a block pretty near to my house and I had been

pretty near to my house and I had been

pretty near to my house and I had been making these kind of tiny little views

making these kind of tiny little views

making these kind of tiny little views and then drilling tiny little holes in

and then drilling tiny little holes in

and then drilling tiny little holes in construction fences and and putting them

construction fences and and putting them

construction fences and and putting them in there and uh and so I was like

in there and uh and so I was like

in there and uh and so I was like peeking at one of them to see like how

peeking at one of them to see like how

peeking at one of them to see like how is it holding up and this woman stopped

is it holding up and this woman stopped

is it holding up and this woman stopped me and she was like hey do you know

me and she was like hey do you know

me and she was like hey do you know anything about that um and I was like

anything about that um and I was like

anything about that um and I was like well yeah I made that and she said oh

well yeah I made that and she said oh

well yeah I made that and she said oh cool I want to tell you this story she

cool I want to tell you this story she

cool I want to tell you this story she said you know there's a guy who lives on

said you know there's a guy who lives on

said you know there's a guy who lives on this block he's a little bit mentally

this block he's a little bit mentally

this block he's a little bit mentally handicapped and he hangs out here it's

handicapped and he hangs out here it's

handicapped and he hangs out here it's kind of his block like he's the greeter

kind of his block like he's the greeter

kind of his block like he's the greeter he talks to everyone and she said that

he talks to everyone and she said that

he talks to everyone and she said that he found that and that kind of very

he found that and that kind of very

he found that and that kind of very quickly became his thing and he started

quickly became his thing and he started

quickly became his thing and he started to call it the secret and she said and

to call it the secret and she said and

to call it the secret and she said and every time somebody would come by he'd

every time somebody would come by he'd

every time somebody would come by he'd be like hey do you want to see the

be like hey do you want to see the

be like hey do you want to see the secret and he would bring them over and

secret and he would bring them over and

secret and he would bring them over and show them this and she said that it kind

show them this and she said that it kind

show them this and she said that it kind of created this like slightly magical

of created this like slightly magical

of created this like slightly magical space between her and the Neighbors on

space between her and the Neighbors on

space between her and the Neighbors on the Block that they all kind of shared

the Block that they all kind of shared

the Block that they all kind of shared this secret and I like just hugged this

this secret and I like just hugged this

this secret and I like just hugged this stranger on the street I was like oh my

stranger on the street I was like oh my

stranger on the street I was like oh my God thank you for telling me that you

God thank you for telling me that you

God thank you for telling me that you know it was really it was an amazing

know it was really it was an amazing

know it was really it was an amazing thing to me that that that feeling that

thing to me that that that feeling that

thing to me that that that feeling that by by putting a little kind of very tiny

by by putting a little kind of very tiny

by by putting a little kind of very tiny change in an environment you can change

change in an environment you can change

change in an environment you can change all those associations that people have

all those associations that people have

all those associations that people have and sort of create an opportunity for

and sort of create an opportunity for

and sort of create an opportunity for connection among people and also you

connection among people and also you

connection among people and also you know what um what the guy I forgot his

know what um what the guy I forgot his

know what um what the guy I forgot his name sorry right before I was saying

name sorry right before I was saying

name sorry right before I was saying about the Genesis of possible worlds I

about the Genesis of possible worlds I

about the Genesis of possible worlds I thought that that was a really nice

thought that that was a really nice

thought that that was a really nice phrase and when when I think about that

phrase and when when I think about that

phrase and when when I think about that and when I think about you know you make

and when I think about you know you make

and when I think about you know you make a small change and that creates the

a small change and that creates the

a small change and that creates the feeling that maybe there's like a

feeling that maybe there's like a

feeling that maybe there's like a slightly different world kind of

slightly different world kind of

slightly different world kind of existing like right where we are and you

existing like right where we are and you

existing like right where we are and you just have to have a little bit of a

just have to have a little bit of a

just have to have a little bit of a perceptual shift in order to see it um

perceptual shift in order to see it um

perceptual shift in order to see it um that was like kind of what I the hope

that was like kind of what I the hope

that was like kind of what I the hope that I took away from that story um and

that I took away from that story um and

that I took away from that story um and I would say that that kind of Desire

I would say that that kind of Desire

I would say that that kind of Desire that kind of um impulse was was sort of

that kind of um impulse was was sort of

that kind of um impulse was was sort of born in the next project that I was to

born in the next project that I was to

born in the next project that I was to sort of dedicate my life to which was a

sort of dedicate my life to which was a

sort of dedicate my life to which was a series of rafts um that I spent about

series of rafts um that I spent about

series of rafts um that I spent about four years making this one is called the

four years making this one is called the

four years making this one is called the Miss Rockaway Armada um and it was we

Miss Rockaway Armada um and it was we

Miss Rockaway Armada um and it was we were a collective of about 30 people and

were a collective of about 30 people and

were a collective of about 30 people and we built these rafts and we went down

we built these rafts and we went down

we built these rafts and we went down the Mississippi River and then this one

the Mississippi River and then this one

the Mississippi River and then this one uh is the swimming cities of Switchback

uh is the swimming cities of Switchback

uh is the swimming cities of Switchback sea which was a series of a flotilla

sea which was a series of a flotilla

sea which was a series of a flotilla that I designed that came down the

that I designed that came down the

that I designed that came down the Hudson River toward New York City sort

Hudson River toward New York City sort

Hudson River toward New York City sort of Performing along the way and then the

of Performing along the way and then the

of Performing along the way and then the swimming cities of sanima click that

swimming cities of sanima click that

swimming cities of sanima click that next one um with which we actually were

next one um with which we actually were

next one um with which we actually were able to Traverse the Adriatic Sea

able to Traverse the Adriatic Sea

able to Traverse the Adriatic Sea terrifyingly enough and uh and arrive in

terrifyingly enough and uh and arrive in

terrifyingly enough and uh and arrive in Venice which was incredibly magical um

Venice which was incredibly magical um

Venice which was incredibly magical um and the really cool thing about arriving

and the really cool thing about arriving

and the really cool thing about arriving on a rig like this is people freak out

on a rig like this is people freak out

on a rig like this is people freak out and they're like they're like what are

and they're like they're like what are

and they're like they're like what are you I used to love being like a boat but

you I used to love being like a boat but

you I used to love being like a boat but anyway I just I found like through years

anyway I just I found like through years

anyway I just I found like through years of working in this way that like if you

of working in this way that like if you

of working in this way that like if you can make something that people are not

can make something that people are not

can make something that people are not expecting to see and if you can roll up

expecting to see and if you can roll up

expecting to see and if you can roll up with it in a place that people are not

with it in a place that people are not

with it in a place that people are not expecting to find it in a way that just

expecting to find it in a way that just

expecting to find it in a way that just totally blows people's expectations you

totally blows people's expectations you

totally blows people's expectations you it's like this little opening happens

it's like this little opening happens

it's like this little opening happens happens you know in that moment of

happens you know in that moment of

happens you know in that moment of surprise and in that little kind of

surprise and in that little kind of

surprise and in that little kind of moment of cognitive dissonance you're

moment of cognitive dissonance you're

moment of cognitive dissonance you're able to actually get a reaction from

able to actually get a reaction from

able to actually get a reaction from people which is much different than any

people which is much different than any

people which is much different than any other response I've ever had to a work

other response I've ever had to a work

other response I've ever had to a work that I created it's almost like you

that I created it's almost like you

that I created it's almost like you create a little opening into this

create a little opening into this

create a little opening into this childlike part of themselves you know

childlike part of themselves you know

childlike part of themselves you know it's like that part that's usually kind

it's like that part that's usually kind

it's like that part that's usually kind of ground down by the Relentless

of ground down by the Relentless

of ground down by the Relentless grueling details of every day and it's

grueling details of every day and it's

grueling details of every day and it's and if you can kind of break that open

and if you can kind of break that open

and if you can kind of break that open then there's suddenly this feeling of a

then there's suddenly this feeling of a

then there's suddenly this feeling of a lot more possibility um and that the

lot more possibility um and that the

lot more possibility um and that the world is kind of like stranger and a

world is kind of like stranger and a

world is kind of like stranger and a little bit more there's just a lot more

little bit more there's just a lot more

little bit more there's just a lot more going on than maybe you imagined five

going on than maybe you imagined five

going on than maybe you imagined five minutes ago um and you know for me I I I

minutes ago um and you know for me I I I

minutes ago um and you know for me I I I think about that a lot and I feel like

think about that a lot and I feel like

think about that a lot and I feel like that kind of a of a space like the place

that kind of a of a space like the place

that kind of a of a space like the place where you believe in kind of an Infinity

where you believe in kind of an Infinity

where you believe in kind of an Infinity of possibilities is the place within

of possibilities is the place within

of possibilities is the place within ourselves with which we are able to make

ourselves with which we are able to make

ourselves with which we are able to make positive change like that's kind of like

positive change like that's kind of like

positive change like that's kind of like that for me is what gives me that kind

that for me is what gives me that kind

that for me is what gives me that kind of strength and and I feel like that's

of strength and and I feel like that's

of strength and and I feel like that's the kind of place that from which you're

the kind of place that from which you're

the kind of place that from which you're able to you know even though we've seen

able to you know even though we've seen

able to you know even though we've seen like the thousandth brutal kind of

like the thousandth brutal kind of

like the thousandth brutal kind of ending you're able to still say no I

ending you're able to still say no I

ending you're able to still say no I don't accept this as an inevitable

don't accept this as an inevitable

don't accept this as an inevitable outcome I'm going to reimagine and

outcome I'm going to reimagine and

outcome I'm going to reimagine and regroup and try to try to make a new a

regroup and try to try to make a new a

regroup and try to try to make a new a new situation and and A New Path through

new situation and and A New Path through

new situation and and A New Path through these situations and so and so for me I

these situations and so and so for me I

these situations and so and so for me I felt like you know being on these boats

felt like you know being on these boats

felt like you know being on these boats for years and constantly being in

for years and constantly being in

for years and constantly being in contact with that sense of wonder from

contact with that sense of wonder from

contact with that sense of wonder from people it really like strengthened my

people it really like strengthened my

people it really like strengthened my feeling of like a lot of possibility

feeling of like a lot of possibility

feeling of like a lot of possibility thank you um of of like just having a

thank you um of of like just having a

thank you um of of like just having a sense of kind of of of of of heightened

sense of kind of of of of of heightened

sense of kind of of of of of heightened possibilities and I think that it also

possibilities and I think that it also

possibilities and I think that it also really strengthened my own ability to

really strengthened my own ability to

really strengthened my own ability to kind of act from that place you know to

kind of act from that place you know to

kind of act from that place you know to sort of defy doubt and believe in sort

sort of defy doubt and believe in sort

sort of defy doubt and believe in sort of unimaginable things um and let me see

of unimaginable things um and let me see

of unimaginable things um and let me see what's next so I think that you know

what's next so I think that you know

what's next so I think that you know after all those years of of working in

after all those years of of working in

after all those years of of working in that way I was kind of ready to not be

that way I was kind of ready to not be

that way I was kind of ready to not be working on on the water anymore but I

working on on the water anymore but I

working on on the water anymore but I wasn't really sure what was next and I

wasn't really sure what was next and I

wasn't really sure what was next and I definitely had that kind of sense of

definitely had that kind of sense of

definitely had that kind of sense of possibility kind of around me and I was

possibility kind of around me and I was

possibility kind of around me and I was in the woods um and kind of a holdup

in the woods um and kind of a holdup

in the woods um and kind of a holdup self-study architecture class with my

self-study architecture class with my

self-study architecture class with my boyfriend and fellow artist Ben Wolf um

boyfriend and fellow artist Ben Wolf um

boyfriend and fellow artist Ben Wolf um and we heard the news of the earthquake

and we heard the news of the earthquake

and we heard the news of the earthquake in Haiti and I think that you know like

in Haiti and I think that you know like

in Haiti and I think that you know like everyone else we were totally totally

everyone else we were totally totally

everyone else we were totally totally shaken by that news and we immediately

shaken by that news and we immediately

shaken by that news and we immediately started to ask ourselves what can we do

started to ask ourselves what can we do

started to ask ourselves what can we do to help and you know it was pretty

to help and you know it was pretty

to help and you know it was pretty apparent that we weren't going to be

apparent that we weren't going to be

apparent that we weren't going to be First Responders we're not translators

First Responders we're not translators

First Responders we're not translators we're not medics

we're not medics

we're not medics um and and of course you know there was

um and and of course you know there was

um and and of course you know there was a little bit of that question of like

a little bit of that question of like

a little bit of that question of like we're artists like what can we do is

we're artists like what can we do is

we're artists like what can we do is there anything that we can do does it

there anything that we can do does it

there anything that we can do does it even make any sense you know and so we

even make any sense you know and so we

even make any sense you know and so we started sort of researching and thinking

started sort of researching and thinking

started sort of researching and thinking about what were some of the responses

about what were some of the responses

about what were some of the responses that other Architects artists activists

that other Architects artists activists

that other Architects artists activists Community organizers had had to disaster

Community organizers had had to disaster

Community organizers had had to disaster um and we found the work of an Iranian

um and we found the work of an Iranian

um and we found the work of an Iranian born architect named Anar Khal um and

born architect named Anar Khal um and

born architect named Anar Khal um and he's somebody that had spent the last 20

he's somebody that had spent the last 20

he's somebody that had spent the last 20 years of his life he started an

years of his life he started an

years of his life he started an organization called Cal Earth and he

organization called Cal Earth and he

organization called Cal Earth and he dedicated himself to the problem of the

dedicated himself to the problem of the

dedicated himself to the problem of the humanitarian housing or of of of the

humanitarian housing or of of of the

humanitarian housing or of of of the housing crisis kind of worldwide and

housing crisis kind of worldwide and

housing crisis kind of worldwide and what he spent his life trying to do was

what he spent his life trying to do was

what he spent his life trying to do was to develop a system which was easily

to develop a system which was easily

to develop a system which was easily replicatable and which could make houses

replicatable and which could make houses

replicatable and which could make houses that were extremely resistant to

that were extremely resistant to

that were extremely resistant to earthquakes and tornadoes um and which

earthquakes and tornadoes um and which

earthquakes and tornadoes um and which were built relatively cheaply with the

were built relatively cheaply with the

were built relatively cheaply with the materials that people had on hand um and

materials that people had on hand um and

materials that people had on hand um and so we talked about it a bit and we

so we talked about it a bit and we

so we talked about it a bit and we decided that sort of combining this

decided that sort of combining this

decided that sort of combining this sound and proven kind of architectural

sound and proven kind of architectural

sound and proven kind of architectural system with our own you know Ingenuity

system with our own you know Ingenuity

system with our own you know Ingenuity and creativity and also trying to sort

and creativity and also trying to sort

and creativity and also trying to sort of draw upon and think about the

of draw upon and think about the

of draw upon and think about the strength of our um creative Community

strength of our um creative Community

strength of our um creative Community actually Christina Ray who's here right

actually Christina Ray who's here right

actually Christina Ray who's here right now she uh she helped us do fundraisers

now she uh she helped us do fundraisers

now she uh she helped us do fundraisers and so it was it was this thing of

and so it was it was this thing of

and so it was it was this thing of saying who are we as artists and what is

saying who are we as artists and what is

saying who are we as artists and what is the thing that we can bring to this

the thing that we can bring to this

the thing that we can bring to this situation and I and we wanted to really

situation and I and we wanted to really

situation and I and we wanted to really pull together a very specific response

pull together a very specific response

pull together a very specific response that was about the strength of our

that was about the strength of our

that was about the strength of our community and so we decided to you know

community and so we decided to you know

community and so we decided to you know take this idea and to to see if there

take this idea and to to see if there

take this idea and to to see if there was a place in Haiti that this would

was a place in Haiti that this would

was a place in Haiti that this would make sense and so we traveled um to a

make sense and so we traveled um to a

make sense and so we traveled um to a village we traveled around a little bit

village we traveled around a little bit

village we traveled around a little bit sort of looking for the place that that

sort of looking for the place that that

sort of looking for the place that that this would work in making sure that this

this would work in making sure that this

this would work in making sure that this architectural style would make sense in

architectural style would make sense in

architectural style would make sense in Haiti and um we found a village called

Haiti and um we found a village called

Haiti and um we found a village called bonis which is outside of leoon um and

bonis which is outside of leoon um and

bonis which is outside of leoon um and it's a village of farmers and mango

it's a village of farmers and mango

it's a village of farmers and mango Growers and stone Carvers um and they

Growers and stone Carvers um and they

Growers and stone Carvers um and they were really excited to work with us and

were really excited to work with us and

were really excited to work with us and we so we learned this architectural

we so we learned this architectural

we so we learned this architectural style and then we shared it um and we

style and then we shared it um and we

style and then we shared it um and we built a community center over the period

built a community center over the period

built a community center over the period of six weeks and we engaged a lot of

of six weeks and we engaged a lot of

of six weeks and we engaged a lot of Artisans and local Crafts People and

Artisans and local Crafts People and

Artisans and local Crafts People and were and uh I actually just recently got

were and uh I actually just recently got

were and uh I actually just recently got the really awesome news that through uh

the really awesome news that through uh

the really awesome news that through uh creative time we just received a

creative time we just received a

creative time we just received a Rockefeller Foundation Grant to go back

Rockefeller Foundation Grant to go back

Rockefeller Foundation Grant to go back in December and yay see this

in December and yay see this

in December and yay see this um see this woman her name is Mo'Nique

um see this woman her name is Mo'Nique

um see this woman her name is Mo'Nique um and she came to us on hiring day and

um and she came to us on hiring day and

um and she came to us on hiring day and she said I'm pregnant and I don't have

she said I'm pregnant and I don't have

she said I'm pregnant and I don't have anyone to take care of me and I can't

anyone to take care of me and I can't

anyone to take care of me and I can't really do any heavy lifting but if you

really do any heavy lifting but if you

really do any heavy lifting but if you could hire me that would be great so we

could hire me that would be great so we

could hire me that would be great so we had her help us serve lunch and then she

had her help us serve lunch and then she

had her help us serve lunch and then she had her baby in the middle of the

had her baby in the middle of the

had her baby in the middle of the project and so now my hope is that uh

project and so now my hope is that uh

project and so now my hope is that uh when we go back in December we can build

when we go back in December we can build

when we go back in December we can build her a house um and it's really exciting

her a house um and it's really exciting

her a house um and it's really exciting and it's very than anything I've ever

and it's very than anything I've ever

and it's very than anything I've ever been able to to do before and I guess

been able to to do before and I guess

been able to to do before and I guess you know the thing I started saying was

you know the thing I started saying was

you know the thing I started saying was that you know me like 10 years ago in

that you know me like 10 years ago in

that you know me like 10 years ago in Brooklyn putting up an illegal wheat

Brooklyn putting up an illegal wheat

Brooklyn putting up an illegal wheat paste really did sort of lead me on this

paste really did sort of lead me on this

paste really did sort of lead me on this path which is which ended or not ended

path which is which ended or not ended

path which is which ended or not ended but which is continuing here with this

but which is continuing here with this

but which is continuing here with this kinds of projects and hati and these

kinds of projects and hati and these

kinds of projects and hati and these kinds of much more unlikely projects

kinds of much more unlikely projects

kinds of much more unlikely projects and and uh it's I feel like that all of

and and uh it's I feel like that all of

and and uh it's I feel like that all of the experiences that I have had over

the experiences that I have had over

the experiences that I have had over this you know over the years and all of

this you know over the years and all of

this you know over the years and all of the sort of improbability that that has

the sort of improbability that that has

the sort of improbability that that has that has that has come to come to be has

that has that has come to come to be has

that has that has come to come to be has really just really sort of gave me a

really just really sort of gave me a

really just really sort of gave me a certain kind of a faith um that you

certain kind of a faith um that you

certain kind of a faith um that you could make unlikely things happen

could make unlikely things happen

could make unlikely things happen because when we started to think about

because when we started to think about

because when we started to think about this project a lot of people said like

this project a lot of people said like

this project a lot of people said like you're just a couple of artists like

you're just a couple of artists like

you're just a couple of artists like what are you thinking um you know you're

what are you thinking um you know you're

what are you thinking um you know you're not a big NGO you're not experienced in

not a big NGO you're not experienced in

not a big NGO you're not experienced in dealing with disaster you know why don't

dealing with disaster you know why don't

dealing with disaster you know why don't you leave it to the big groups like

you leave it to the big groups like

you leave it to the big groups like they're having a hard time as it is and

they're having a hard time as it is and

they're having a hard time as it is and I just really had the gut feeling that

I just really had the gut feeling that

I just really had the gut feeling that what we had which was being a very small

what we had which was being a very small

what we had which was being a very small and focused group that wanted to on a

and focused group that wanted to on a

and focused group that wanted to on a very personto person scale sort of lend

very personto person scale sort of lend

very personto person scale sort of lend our energy and our help could be kind of

our energy and our help could be kind of

our energy and our help could be kind of our unique strength and it and it was um

our unique strength and it and it was um

our unique strength and it and it was um and

and

and so I guess I just want to sort of bring

so I guess I just want to sort of bring

so I guess I just want to sort of bring it back around to um what I started to

it back around to um what I started to

it back around to um what I started to say about explaining the my name my

say about explaining the my name my

say about explaining the my name my quote unquote name um which is Swoon

quote unquote name um which is Swoon

quote unquote name um which is Swoon this kind of I think that for me it has

this kind of I think that for me it has

this kind of I think that for me it has it's become not quite a name but more

it's become not quite a name but more

it's become not quite a name but more like a code word for the kind of the

like a code word for the kind of the

like a code word for the kind of the trickster's belief in Miracles which is

trickster's belief in Miracles which is

trickster's belief in Miracles which is to say that like if you kind of break a

to say that like if you kind of break a

to say that like if you kind of break a rule over here and move a boundary over

rule over here and move a boundary over

rule over here and move a boundary over there and have like a moment of creative

there and have like a moment of creative

there and have like a moment of creative play and create something of beauty that

play and create something of beauty that

play and create something of beauty that through all of those actions and

through all of those actions and

through all of those actions and combined with a lot of dedication um you

combined with a lot of dedication um you

combined with a lot of dedication um you can start to create little cracks in the

can start to create little cracks in the

can start to create little cracks in the kind of facade of impossibility and

kind of facade of impossibility and

kind of facade of impossibility and inevitability that I think overlays a

inevitability that I think overlays a

inevitability that I think overlays a lot of our lives and that a lot of us

lot of our lives and that a lot of us

lot of our lives and that a lot of us battle um and that you know through

battle um and that you know through

battle um and that you know through those cracks little kinds of

those cracks little kinds of

those cracks little kinds of possibilities start to come up and they

possibilities start to come up and they

possibilities start to come up and they ask to be born and then they're born and

ask to be born and then they're born and

ask to be born and then they're born and they start sort of unifying and linking

they start sort of unifying and linking

they start sort of unifying and linking with each other and that's a really

with each other and that's a really

with each other and that's a really powerful force and um and that's the

powerful force and um and that's the

powerful force and um and that's the force that I would say I live my life by

force that I would say I live my life by

force that I would say I live my life by so thanks for letting me share it with

so thanks for letting me share it with

so thanks for letting me share it with you

you

you [Applause]

guys