In October of 2007 I was overseeing a major project and felt
incredibly overwhelmed and stressed out. I was in a car with Lori
Gordon, driving to an event that was part of the project. We were
running late and I was in a panic. As we arrived at our destination
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” came on the radio. We paused and started
to sing along, and by the end of the song our own rendition had an
equally big finish. See How They Shine: A Simon and Garfunkel Choir
(Dedicated to Lori Gordon) is a tribute to one of my closest friends,
and frequent artistic collaborator, Lori Gordon. A choir comprised of
Simon and Garfunkel fans in addition to Lori’s friends and family will
be brought together to sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Lori and I don’t have the kind of strained, unstable working
relationship that comes to mind when you think of Simon and Garfunkel.
There is no power imbalance, no struggle to be the focus of attention.
Since 2006 we have worked together on a variety of projects, while
also finding ways to push forward the work we do as individuals. This
performance, which coincides with a solo-exhibition of Lori’s work at
Ampersand International Arts, is no exception.

“You will never be as shiny as today” is my favorite quote from Lori’s
Snippets project. For me it speaks to the kind of person that she is
and the way that comes through in her artwork. She lets you see your
value and the value of others. Her work asks you to appreciate the
people around you, whether they be friends, loved ones or strangers
who you overhear in public. In the words of Simon and Garfunkel, she
lets us see that our time has come to shine.