Title: Arms Control.

This past weekend I attended the Penny Stamps Speaker Series, I also was on hand to snap photos and even had the chance to talk with Robert Hammond over dinner afterwards. Short story: perfect night!

Long story: Robert Hammond is one of the great minds behind the High Line in New York City - Robert was in town for a speaking engadgement at the UICA titled “High Line: New York’s Park in the Sky”. The lecture was part of an ongoing Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series that is underwritten by the University of Michigan College of Art & Design. I will go on record and state that Robert’s words were not only amazing, but he was one of the best speakers I’ve ever had the chance to listen and learn from. Trust me on this… I go to a lot of speaking events - a lot! From the moment he started the audiences was in full attention and his blend of jokes, camp, and facts around the High Line melded together perfectly. There was not a single moment where I thought to myself “when is this going to be over?” Another perk of the event was that I was on hand for the University to capture imagery and the photo above is my favorite shot of the night, so I’m sharing it!

After the lecture I was invited to have dinner and drinks with Robert, the University, and members of the UICA. Yet another perk of being me and there was no way that I was not going to go. Our dinner was awesome and the conversation kept on going with the exception that instead of talking about the High Line Robert wanted to talk about aspects of Michigan. We talked about Grand Rapids, Art Prize, Cranbrook, Detroit (especially the Train Station) and everything in between. I’m pretty sure I’m missing some details in this write up… all I can say is it was a night to remember.

If you ever get a chance to walk/visit the High Line when you are in New York - do it! I have visited it twice and every time I’ve been it seems to get better and better. 

Learn more about the High Line here:
www.thehighline.org