|
I wrote this piece as a part of an assignment in my Intro to Concepts in Visual Arts class in the Spring of 2004 to design a public work of art to fit somewhere at the U of M. There were several people in my group, working on various aspects of the design of this structure which is called Metroplex. The huge structure, including an enclosed garden, jungle gym, and contemplation dome was my brainchild, and the other members' ideas, such as the crystal tree, were integrated into it. In the presentation to the class, I told everyone that I had written a piece to describe this structure. Although the class is visual arts, this piece allows you to visualize the place, I explained. I asked everyone to close their eyes and relax, and I proceeded to lead them through a relaxing, refreshing tour of Metroplex. Afterwards, everyone applauded. I was moved. God I wish it were real. The U of M really needs a place like this. There is hope though, for I have heard that the Center for Spirituality and Healing is working on building a healing garden on the hospital grounds. I really believe that it will come about, because there were no less than six other groups which had some sort of public garden as their project's focus. There is definitely a desire for this kind of space at the U of M; here, you can experience my personal vision of one such space. As I pack up my circuitry and lab equipment I wonder to myself how it can be that something can go wrong every time. I feel satisfied that I learned the concepts I was supposed to, and gained some more troubleshooting experience. I know full well what I'm working towards, but after spending four hours in a stuffy room with a C programming impaired partner and a bad chip, it seems so very far away. I wonder how I will ever be able to get there. As I trudge out of the building, I put on my hat and gloves, and scan the sky for a hint of the sun. Nope. Only clouds and drizzle. I need some rest. I've got a couple hours before my next class; just enough time to get to my dorm, rest, study for my test, and get back, but my dorm is such a cramped and stale place, and my roommate will be…oh yeah, Metroplex. I turn the corner and its huge glass and metal structure rises up in front of me. Where there used to be a space where squirrels and students would loiter, there is now a place where I can get exactly what I need to keep me going. A little balance. As I walk towards the three-way revolving door that leads into it, I think about what led up to its creation. About how that group of students in an introductory art course came up with something that filled a gap in this campus, and changed my experience of it so much. Just as I don't want to think about how difficult it was before Coffman was reopened, I find it hard to believe how much better it has been having this. Swoosh! Goes the door as I am pulled into it, and I go around a few times like I always do, just like I used to do in these when I was a kid. I leap out the door into the garden space. The sound of the buses and cars on Washington Avenue are noticeably absent, and I take off my hat and gloves as the warm air surrounds me. As I walk through the topiary, the sound of the revolving door fades behind me and is replaced by the pleasant sound of a waterfall and a babbling brook. Before I go to take a nap on the other side of the garden, I walk up the huge stone staircase to the source of the stream, and look at the tree that is growing up on top. It will be a hundred years before it will fill its space up here fully, but it looks so right even as it is. I touch the water of the nearby pool and a koi swims up to nibble my finger. I chuckle and walk back down to ground level. I head along the stream, cross the arched bridge, and pick a bed to sleep on. I unroll my camp pad and lay it on the smoothly curved, inclined stone slab, bunch up my coat for a pillow, set my watch for a half hour and settle into a nice peaceful nap. I can hear other students chatting in the distance, and one snoring nearby, but the gentle sound of the stream lulls me to sleep. A half hour later I wake up feeling great. I stretch, rub my face, and pack up my stuff. My attention is drawn to the sanctuary in the center of Metroplex, and feeling refreshed, I actually have a desire to go and do some studying. I cross the bridge again, and walk along the stone pathway towards the door on the side of the domed structure. I swipe my U-card through the sensor and the large glass and metal gates swing to the sides. I walk in and they shut behind me. The crystal tree at the center gives off a pale glow as even the small amount of light that has made it through the cloud cover is focused onto it by the collector mirrors high up on Metroplex. The light is refracted through the tree, and makes this space seem even more magical. I walk around it and find an open chair on the southeast side. I climb up, open my bookbag and pull out my notes, then I pull the arms of the chair around in front of me to form a table. It's so easy to study in this space that I feel good about the material in no time at all. I sit and gaze at the tree for a minute and realize that it doesn't matter what has happened up to this point, and that whatever happens from here on out is just fine. Right at this moment there is nothing to regret and nothing to fear. I love to come to this place because it is so easy to remember that here. I tell myself that it will get easier to remember that wherever I am. I just need to hold this sacred place, this timeless moment in my heart. I am brought out of my reverie by the sound of the voice of my friend who has just entered the sanctuary from the door leading to the other half of Metroplex. "Hey, did you bring your climbing shoes?" He whispers, "Wanna go do some bouldering?" "Heck yeah", I reply. |