Chance encounter from the past

This week I received the most wonderful gift....an email from a man that use to visit his Grandmother who was a neighbor to Mel and Louise.

It confirms so much.

The email from Randy Smith.

 

 

A special thanks to Randy Smith for taking the time to reach out.

 

A Magical, Inspirational, and Healing...Gathering

On October 5, a Gathering was held at the Listening Device with a talk about what I have found out thus far regarding the Listening Device and the lives of Louise Taylor and Mel Mann.

Artist talk

 

After the talk there was a time for those attending to share a story, poem, life event in regards to love and loss. There were many very moving moments. It felt very healing....cleansing. I am sure Louise would have been happy to have people around her Listening Device...a symbol of both profound grief and undying love.
 

                                                Priscilla Smith's moving performance

Tom Trimm's story of his relationship with his Mother

 

Michael Duffy's tribute to his Sister

 

Lyn Adler's story and poem of love lost.

 

Lisa Alembik touching on Pablo Neruda's "Love is so short, forgetting is so long".

 

Virginia Sowell's poem of wishes

 

Thanks to all who attended on this perfect Autumn day. The Listening Device installation proves to be the perfect place to examine life and all it's complexities and turns.

 

 

Making time to sit and listen

Had a good time at The Listening Device.

It was great to actually have some time to sit and listen. I recommend "eyes closed".

Came across an anonymous quote this week that seemed fitting for this installation, "One only dies when their name is no longer spoken".

While there, many curious people came by with really good questions.

 

 

Scott Burland came down to scope the place out for a possible performance next Sunday.

Scott using his good ear

 

Betty even dropped by for a visit. Photo and dog courtesy of Walter Heape.

 

Hope to see everyone there next Sunday, October 5 from 4-6. Please RSVP at the Facebook event page listed on the previous blog post 
 
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A gathering at The Listening Device is planned.

A gathering at The Listening Device is planned to honor the life of Mel Mann. Mel was known locally as a great poet that often tackled issues taboo for the times in regards to race, sexuality, and civil rights.

I really want to publish some of Mel's poems on this blog but have not been able to locate any thus far.

Would love to see you at "the gathering". Please gather your favorite nostalgic poem and follow the link below to "join" this event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1575256682702624/ 

Here come the Visitors and more rain.

This has been a very exciting week at The Listening Device with many visitors sending messages expressing their interest and sadness in the life of Louise Taylor.

Several school groups also visited the site as the rains continue to drench Atlanta.

A midday class visits The Listening Device and had a lot of questions.

 

I spread wheat straw at the site due to ground conditions and I am a bit concerned about the chair.

Someone did a stacked stone piece on the chair.

 If this weather pattern continues I might have to remove Mel's chair for archival reasons and replace it with a more weather resistant chair. I will have that answer in the coming weeks.

                                               
 

Art on the Beltline is officially open

Many thanks to all that have already sent such wonderful comments regarding their visits to The Louise Taylor Listening Device and Art on the Beltline just opened yesterday.

One visitor, Steve Saenz, wrote, "Wonderful story. I passed the listening device the day after it rose again and was intrigued. Now that I know the story, it is so much more meaningful. Thank you for keeping Louise and Mel's flame alive."

Flowers left on Mel's chair

 

The "device" is located just east of Dutch Valley Way off Monroe Drive on the Beltline...or 200 feet east of the Beltline 11.75 mile marker.

There will be events happening at the site over the next two months. I will post those times in the next weeks.

 

 


 

The Listening Device Rises Again!

 

Happy to report that as of today at 11 am, Louise Taylor's Listening Device has risen again.

It has been three years in the making and I am extremely happy that her invention can be seen by a whole new generation of people.

There are so many people that have been instrumental in this ongoing project. Louise Taylor. Mel Mann. B. J. Butler. Clara McClendon. Richard Crowe, Virginia Sowell. Lisa Alembik. Antonio Hernandez. Steve and Paulette Minor and the Art on the Beltline folks.

It has truly been a labor of love. May their story touch each who visits.

You Tube audio located at the site of me talking about the Louise Taylor Story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0kGGEq4ezQ