James PappageorgeCentral Park between E 84th St and E 83rd StHeart Three · Location 296 · Drawn July 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 7Download photograph 8Download photograph 9Download photograph 10Download photograph 11Download photograph 12Video podcast0:00This drawing was done at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.0:04On the north-facing wall, you'll find four large manicured ivy shapes.0:10In the center shape, you can see the remains of the arch that this drawing was drawn inside of.0:17And just to the right of it, two glass rectangular openings into the museum.0:22When we visited the site in the spring of 2006, we could not look into the museum because the glass was covered on the inside by construction paper and painting tape.0:37This is James Papa George. He was drawn in July of 2003. His drawing is counting ten people.0:47True story.0:49There is a cat in the house where I live called Monkey.0:52Whenever a sandwich is made, Monkey will want nothing more than to share in it.0:57She knows if she goes for it, she will be caught.1:01So there is always a moment of sheer paralysis for the cat,1:04as she lets the desire to consume bologna reach its boiling point.1:08At that point, bold action is taken.1:11If there is a one-second window, you have just shared your sandwich.1:16But in the braver moments, this desire translates to bold execution, the rare moments where she will walk right up to the dish, look you straight in the eye, and open her mouth to feast.1:27Though she never gets away with it, I found myself looking to do the same thing.1:32So I walked to the door with the security officer and pointed to the tape roll in my hand, and then pointed to the blank area of the wall.1:40I did it several times to announce what I was going to do.1:43He did not open the door, he just waved me off.1:48And in the mindset shared with my brazen feline friend, permission granted.1:54I stepped up to the wall and drew, enjoyed my sandwich, took pictures, and moved on.2:03As a boy, James Papa George was afraid of doctors,2:07but he spent much of his adult life learning about medicine and saving people.2:13He was always carrying books and he was always enrolled in some sort of course, said Gina Pinos, his fiancée.2:19His six-foot-one bodybuilder's physique by itself drew attention.2:23Then there was his hair, flowing locks that earned him the nickname Fabio,2:28before it was shorn for enrollment at the Fire Department Academy.2:32Firefighter Papa George, 29, carried a full medical kit.← Location 295Heart Three · Location 296Location 297 →
