Early Sunday morning, Jaz took a plane back to the west coast. The weather turned very very cold (2 degrees f), but there were still lots of people at The Popsicle. (Mark Rodda photo below).
And, it didn't stop them from filling Cassidy Theatre at The Cultural Center where Gord gave a talk about the installation. I took notes on a napkin.
Someone asked: "What has surprised you?" and Gord said,"There is no way you can dominate the work, you must have empathy with the process . . .
to watch and watch . . and midwife the work.
"To be out there yesterday, to be present as thousands of people responded to the work was fantastic,
the dazzling quality of some of the pieces as they go through their transformation." (Gary Sinclair photo below)
Usually, artists have openings and they don't get the chance to see people interact with their work.
Here .... what a bonus to hear them, to answer their questions. (K Ardner photo above)
At the end of the day, I received a comment posted on the blog, which I will re-print here: (Lois Roelofs photo above, Colleen Duke, below)
Wow.
Today I was a volunteer tour guide and expected almost no one to be out, given the sub zero temps and the far below zero wind chills. Was I wrong!
There were many enthusiastic people, and I enjoyed sharing what I know about the exhibit with them and discovering anew the beauty in the ice.
Mostly I want to say how much I have come to love the Museum of Modern Ice. I work directly across the street, so I have been able to watch it from the installation forward. I monitor its changes the way I would those of a growing child.
Every time I look, I see more. I feel not only engaged by the ice, I am beginning to feel a bit possessive of it.
Not in a way that I don't want to share it, just in a way that it belongs to me, that I will take the ice with me long after the season has gone. I think I am beginning to prosectively mourn its departure.
Thank you, Mr. Halloran and crew. I have a new appreciation for public art, the beauty of ice and the way this beauty has brought people together.
M. Jackson
Here's Eva Silverman, who has been working very hard coordinating so many events for Musuem of Modern Ice. Today, she introduced Gord to the crowd at Cassidy Theater.
We had supper with Rebeca and Michael Orlove at uncommonground, a community restaurant with fabulous artwork on the walls, a cabaret and wonderful hosts, Michael and Helen! Surprise, surprise!Todd from Hard Rock Hotel (the definition of cool) was there with a friend who owns Jane, another restaurant!
Tomorrow: Pre-dawn interview for CBS-TV. The newest opera: Ainadamar. THANK YOU to all photographers who contributed to today and yesterday's blog! Keep those photos coming!
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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