“Easier story to tell,” Max replied with a grin.“This is the part of my creative life that I started out with, that I meant to work with.It’s where everything starts for me.”
Like cooking was for him.But from the tone Max didn’t want a dialogue and Jason didn’t want career guidance from anybody other than Naomi at this point.
“Anyway,” Max continued, “I fell in love rather early with a form of art called installation art, which is about using a room to tell a story.When I learned about the video format, I knew that that would be my primary medium.On top of all of that, I’ve always seen and loved the power of projection, video and light to transform spaces.”
“Which is interesting,” he said.“I’m really looking forward to seeing this piece—”
“It’s better seen as an exhibition,” Max replied, cutting him off out of enthusiasm.“The floor area in this part of the gallery is a perfect space to illustrate the power of light and stars.And it has enough space to allow the stages and sections of the exhibit to shine without being overshadowed by any of the others.”
“That is fascinating,” Naomi said.“I can really see the parallels between creating exhibitions like yours and designing events.”
“You caught it right on the nose,” Max replied, making Jason beam a little.“The way I do spaces for events is a slightly pulled-back version of the way I organize my exhibitions.Because it’s crucial in both an exhibition and an event to know how a room flows, how people need to be directed or held, and where to put objects to make impact and direction.”
“How can we help you?”Naomi asked, adding the business angle.“What can we do?”
Max replied, “Door is going to be handled by the gallery.Snacks…”
Jason laughed.“You have my number.Anything coming or…?”
Max nodded.“Cheese, crackers, some wine, and some gluten-free dairy-free things.I think there might be things you know well coming too.”
Of course they were.Knishes were everywhere, especially Greenblatt’s knishes.“Got it.Tell me where the table is, and I’ll set up.”
Because if nothing else, he knew how to set up snacks for an art exhibit.
“Right,” Max said.“Keep in mind there’s going to be potentially a bunch of people here of varied age ranges.”
Jason nodded.“Right.Makes sense.Will keep the snacks in a good, friendly order.”
“I like it.”
“And,” he said because he wanted to make it clear he was paying attention, “I’ll make it clear which snacks are gluten-free and dairy-free.And separate out the snacks that are kosher, so people who need that…”
“Excellent,” Max said with a grin.“Knew I could count on you.”
“What about me?”Naomi asked.
“Well,” Parker-Roth said sheepishly.“I need help with the look of things and a degree of…crowd flow, for lack of a better word.I know how I want people to see my exhibition, but I don’t know how to implement the crowd-flow piece.I’ve been staring at it the past few days, and actually, that’s why I couldn’t make Tom’s show last night.”
There was a pause, and he saw the expression on Naomi’s face; the kind of recognition Parker-Roth was giving her was something that she rarely got in this type of a professional context.
“I’m flattered,” she said.“I mean that you’re asking me to do something that’s an integral part of your show tonight.I’ll do my best.”
Parker-Roth smiled.“You’re an event planner; this kind of flow organization should be in your toolbox.I trust your eye.”He paused as if getting more of his thoughts together.“You’re going to be a useful contact in the future, not to mention, I’m going to event design for you.Which means I very much would like to get a sense of your own crowd esthetics.”
And there it was: the Naomi nod that signified she was ready to take on whatever responsibility she’d been given.“Okay then,” she said.“I’ll do my best.”
Parker-Roth nodded in return.“Good.I expect it will be perfect.”
As Jason watched Naomi and Parker-Roth head off toward the beginning of the exhibit, he was so proud of her, he could burst.And in his mental list of lessons, he reminded himself that it was important to believe in your own capabilities.
*
“So,” Parker-Roth saidas they headed down the pathway of the exhibition and gestured with a broad sweep of his arm, “what do you think?”
Naomi was…stunned.Playful lights in a setup that looked like child’s bedroom; austere lights set up in a night sky; strong lights, with glasses provided, running around an oval, to the lights acting like a fire in a warm fireplace.“I love this,” she said.“Really.”
He beamed.“It’s not as intricate or thematic as most of my others are, but it’s tailored to the audience we’re expecting.It’s something you can take meaning from even if you’re not used to seeing art like this.”
