Joseph GrzelakW 70th St between Freedom Pl and West End AveHeart Three · Location 265 · Drawn June 2003Hover over or select the image to reveal a hidden view.PhotographsDownload photograph 1Download photograph 2Download photograph 3Download photograph 4Download photograph 5Download photograph 6Download photograph 7Video podcast0:00The location for this drawing is past an archway for 345 West 70th Street at the end of Freedom Place.0:09The archway is labeled Santa Monica.0:11If you enter in through the archway and look to the left, you'll see a canvas of muted bricks between two gated windows.0:20I remember the American flag was posted in the window on the left for several years, and the mount is still there.0:25but on this day in spring 2006, the flag is on temporary hiatus.0:31Of interest is that also of this spring, the wall is under repair0:35and appears to be magically held up by two by fours extending out from the sidewalk.0:44This is B.C. Joseph Grzelak.0:46He was drawn in June of 2003.0:50His drawing is counting ten people.0:54It is the beginning of the summer of 2003.0:57It was only a short time ago that we were here.1:01Between that time and this time, the United States started and declared an end to a war1:06in Iraq.1:07That was fast.1:09I thought for a bit about how quick the actual war seemed to be, but there is no determinable1:14end.1:16One of the things that keeps our sense of confidence high is knowing that there is a1:20tangible end to our efforts.1:22are building a pyramid. We are not sure exactly how high, but it will eventually be declared a1:28finished product. It is unfathomable to have an assumption about what a finished product with our1:35efforts in Iraq will be. If we do, it will be a very long time from now before it comes to be,1:41and the initial ramifications of the United States' actions in Iraq are going to be the1:46backdrop for the rest of the work on this project. I find myself struggling with a tangible pessimism.1:53The inevitable side product of such a deeply complex issue.1:57It is my responsibility now not to succumb to it.2:03Around the firehouse, they called him Joe Nose.2:06During slow shifts, he could be found at his computer,2:09researching everything from home repair to bowling strategies.2:12He was a history buff who read two newspapers a day,2:16breezed through crossword puzzles,2:17and answered all manner of arcane questions for friends and colleagues,2:21hence the nickname.2:22When he raced to the World Trade Center on September 11th,2:26Cheap Greslach took a binder full of research he had compiled over the years after fighting high-rise fires.2:32It was found, Mr. Greslach said, in his crush car.← Location 264Heart Three · Location 265Location 266 →
