Before dawn. The streets, chalk white cold, are still empty. A light shines in the darkness against the building and I can see snow flurries sparkle in their billowy dance. Since Friday, the Dow has crashed 400 points; Hillary Clinton won in Nevada and John McCain in South Carolina. My sister sent me a photo with a blue scarf I bought for her from Italy when we were there in 2006 for the Olympics. (www.paintingsbelowzero.blogspot.com)
On Saturday night, Ari & Matt drove to Michigan to watch 300 Christmas trees burn in an open field; Jaz and River explored The Navy Pier. There was a dance organized by Katie in a wonderful warehouse with high ceilings. On Sunday, along with an assortment of Chicagoans of every level of income, I went shopping. I'm looking for a fancy dress to wear for the Consular Ball in February.
\Today we wake early for a radio interview at WGN with Spike O’Dell. Brooke escorts us into the Tribune Building where we listen to Gord’s short chat during drive time. It's Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
Here's Spike and Gord, a couple of Irish guys, jovial and the center of attention after having spun a yarn.
At Intelligentsia, Gord asks for everyone’s attention. “We’re really pushing for the next four or five days, so we can get ahead and be able to do some nice work at the end.” Today the first paintings go up on the huge wall.
Next week is the stretch before the opening. I know they’re all hoping to be able to take Sunday off.
More press arrangements for interviews in the park. At the drawing board, Gord announces, “I’ve got to go to The Fulton, to pick out some pieces and make sure they get on the pallet for tomorrow.”
Christine escorts another reporter to The Fulton. Gord’s withdrawn, concentrating, preoccupied with the challenges at hand: getting paintings up on the wall; which ones where? How to cut them? How well are they adhering? What's our process at this venue, with these particular conditions? Christine graciously re-schedules an eleven o’clock press meeting for one.
The sun beats down on the corner where the first yellow shard is set. Gord doesn’t like to tip his hand until he’s solved what’s in front of him. And yet. He’s under a microscope. Still, he smiles when he sees Noreen, who visits the site with her photographer, Chris Walker.
Afterwards, a crew meeting at BACI: a re-focus for the team. Instead of a symphony, I’m now thinking of a hockey game, and he’s the coach, firing up the players for a long, difficult stretch.
Everyone goes about their business. River, our resident stoneworker, says the ice cuts like butter with a skil saw. We sort through our collective memory re: proven ways to pour water -- the glue on the back of the paintings. Tim's going to get a turkey baster. A couple of lucky photographers in the right place at the right time - get shots as the first shards go up.
Suddenly the day is over. It’s nine o’clock at night. Dark outside, snowing huge flakes, a wet snow: it's warmer. I hear Gord's key in the door. He’s exhausted, “I got nothin’!” he says, but I do learn: a fuse blew, and the site was without power for several hours. But because the electricians (who were home for the holiday) had locked down the power, there was not even such a simple option as to flip a switch back on. So they lost a bit of time while Tim rented a generator. Now, they’re back in business, with an alternate power source. Nerve-wracking as it is, it’s good to have these things happen early. I can't wait to see what they've put up today!
The new recruit. An interdisciplinary artist with a passion for art, music and mystery, Ari also has production skills. Fascinated by spirals, fractals and other patterns of growth, Ari loves watching ice crystals form... and of course, lugging around refrigeration plates. He's our guide to Chicago and has managed to fix up a previously mangled bicycle, which he rides everywhere.
Katie has a BA in Fine Art from University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She has passion for creating ceramic sculpture and enjoys oil painting, traveling and yoga, as well as Chicago's "offerings of art & culture." Although she answers whenever anyone calls "Katie" (there are 3 interns names Katie) she's an enthusiastic worker, and a welcome addition to 
Matt is an artist, bicyclist, disc jockey, self-taught keyboardist and photographer who likes to write. This is his first 
Katelyn recently moved to Chicago from Michigan, and works as a paintings assistant for artist Tim Lowly. She has a BFA in Painting, & a BA in Art Education (Western Michigan University). An artist who paints, Katie also plays violin with a number of groups in the Chicago area. She's new to 
Katie Louise Williams really likes ice. She grew up making ice rinks in her yard, playing hockey, staring at frosty grass, and, eventually, driving a Zamboni. The project has been one of her favorite experiences with both ice and Canadians. She rides her bike everywhere. When its warmer she's a vegetable farmer.
Technical crew. Laura is new to 
This is Jaz’s third installation with Paintings Below Zero. Jaz brings a Bachelor of Arts degree in Design from Emily Carr College to the project. A fanatic of typefaces, Jaz designed & produced the artbook on the Italy installation, created the flash web site from scratch: paintingsbelowzero.com, designed a full page ad in Modern Painters (Feb 2008 ) & numerous smaller design projects for 
Raised in Calgary, Winnipeg, Nairobi, and Boston, Erik is an artist and graphic designer, (Bachelor of Design Emily Carr, 2005), who has cultivated a distinct visual art practice informed by design and international travel. Following his studies with voyages to Honduras, Italy, London, England, Toronto, and Harlem, New York, Olson returned to his native Calgary to open IDEAL, a contemporary art space. www.erikolson.ca
River grew up in Northern California and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture) from UC Santa Cruz. His wild, youthful days of travel ended abruptly when he fell in love with a dancer. Now he's married, with 3 kids, a house, 2 cars and a dog living in semi-rural British Columbia as a stone mason. He relishes 
Originally from the U.K., Nancy is now based in Toronto. With a background in art education, she first worked with 
Adrian has worked in the Broadcast, Film and Live Production fields for the past 28 years and is presently Lighting Consultant to the CTV Television Network, TSN and Rogers Sportsnet. He also counts amongst his clientele the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, for whom he is the Lighting and Set Designer for their worldwide festivals.
Art spends most of his time continent hopping with Accent Refrigeration in the cool quest to design and install the perfect system. His favorite gig is Paintings Below Zero - and will continue to be until hell freezes over. He calls home Victoria, British Columbia with his wife and 4 daughters.
This is JC’s fourth installation with 
Nancy has worked with Gordon and Caitlin with PBZ since the 2005 Italy installation. She’s the go-to person behind the scenes. Nancy is responsible to have everything in place before the crew hits the location. She brings 21 years of event management experience to this gig, and she is inspired by the work. 
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