“My then furry friend was witness
And stored away those tales of a thousand and more nights. He remembers now more than I.”
So wrote Princeton composer Julian G. in a poem about his toy since early childhood, Tigger. His verses contributed to the Princeton edition of Taking Pause, a public art installation hosted by the Arts Council of Princeton and supported by the Princeton University Humanities Council. Other sponsors include Timothy M. Andrews, Princeton Future, and the Bank of Princeton.
With Tigger, Julian grew up listening to often fabricated accounts of his absent father: “Music filled the space where father should have been. Those sounds became his story within me…” Such moments inspired Julian to keep Tigger close, even long after the animal had lost most of his fluffiness.
Located in Dohm Alley, near Labyrinth Books, Taking Pause displays portraits and stories collected by Robin Resch GS ’03 surrounding the question, “What is irreplaceable to you?” Visitors can submit their own responses at takingpause.net.
The full photos and words of Julian, along with other participants, will be free to view in Dohm Alley through October 16. Each month, the Humanities Council will highlight one community member from the exhibition.
