the bench project, mexico city

when i think "community" i don't typically think of a bench. but it makes so much sense. sitting with someone: perhaps the simplest form of community that becomes, in so many ways, another form of communion.

the bench project's exhibition begins with a lovely poem by eduardo lagagne (forgive my shoddy translation):

Here the desire, the illusion,
here the dreams.
Here the search,
the confession,
the intimate silence.

Here the indecision,
here the tremors, fears, questions,
the lover’s response, here.
Here hands are given,
a suggestive kiss.

So far the city
limits the noise.
Here, then, is peace,
a kiss,
a hug.

Here us,
nobody else,
us.

...and then the benches--they are gorgeous, celebratory, odd, and lovely...

"Ya no hay lugar" (There's no place anymore) by Leonora Carrington.