Back in the mists of time, I examined the esoteric nooks of art and found some who particularly inspired me. One among these was Paul Laffoley, an architect-visionary-painter with a unique style that blended rationality, subtlety, and the classical. I found and obtained my first rare book, The Phenomenology of Revelation. I also first purchased photographic prints of exhibit work over ebay.
On one of the photos I bought was written an address.
(This address is dated to the production year of my truck, the Millenium Phoenix, also the year my parents immigrated to the USA.) I sent a postcard to this address under one of my pseudonyms. Artistically creepy, I hoped?
I received a letter and a business card from the artist, still present at the same address!
And I didn’t have the gumption or conception for any further dialogue… but I treasured that tiny exchange. Until I was recently bound for Arisia 2017 Boston , when I thought, “Hey! I’d like to go see Paul Laffoley.”
Well bummer to discover that he died in November 2015.
But I made the pilgrimage.
The Boston Visionary Cell is no longer to be found on the business list.
There are lofts available in the building…
But Mr. Laffoley’s old suite is now occupied by the pattern room of one Blank Label.
I was pleased to note that his door was still open to me, even with no one inside. His looks over the parking lot.
Strangely, no one on my whole way in or out knew his name. Like everyone left together. Here’s to him. Thanks for writing back.
thank you for this post. I was friend of paul and visited many times this room in the 90s. Been thinking of paul the last few days and happy to stumble on this. and that door was always open to everyone
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