Things said by people lying on the floor at the Guggenheim on Sunday beneath James Turrell’s Aten Reign.
1.
Me: I feel like we’re at the beginning of time.
Autumn (my stepdaughter): Or at the bottom of the sea.
Me: It’s sooo gray.
Autumn: Yeah. Except where it isn’t!
2.
Guy, taking photo, to female companion: What is the point of this, exactly? I mean, you can’t exactly own it.
3.
Woman, repeatedly snapping selfies: I don’t think this is my best angle.
4.
Young woman to male companion: This is the color I like, because my pants get so pink.
5.
Little girl: La la la la light bulb!
Father: Sometimes at the ridges — you know what I mean by ridges? — you can see different-colored lines. [Loooong pause.] You’ve gotta stare for a long time at it, right at the edge.
Little girl: Dad, I’m a wolf!
Father: Now it’s purple!
6.
Guy, to girlfriend, responding to very intense pink: Look at that, it looks fake!
Guy, as light turns violet: This is so bright, right? This is the light where you see everyone’s imperfections.
Guy, as light shifts again: Do me a favor. Open your eyes as big as you can!
Girlfriend: [ignores him]
Guy: Open your eyes as big as you can!
Girlfriend: [complies]
Guy: You look so cute!
Guy, as pink returns: I don’t like this one. It’s not elegant.
7.
30-something man, to 30-something woman he’s embracing: I gotta admit, I’ve never been on the floor of the Guggenheim with a girl like this. Thanks for the amazing experience.
Woman: I can’t wait to be on the floor in a less public space.
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Photo by Maximus Clarke.