Friends Count (Part 2 of 3 Posts)

.By Ian Summers and Dave Moser
Ian:
I was fascinated by this project. To my knowledge nothing like this had ever been attempted in the corporate world. I met Dave’s private client at his office to interview him for an upcoming book of Dave’s photographs.
His walls are covered with interesting paintings. He took me on a tour. He is a passionate and tasteful collector. There weren’t any photographs.
His personal office was a work in progress. At this time, there were about twenty-four of Dave’s portraits displayed side-by-side opposite his desk. The man beamed. A piece of his heart was featured on his office walls. He told me he loved each subject in a different way.
I wanted to know more about them. What was it that made each person lovable? I asked him to introduce me to each subject. He made the introductions as if the person was actually in the room. He did this spontaneously. I was mesmerized.
Dave was announced by the receptionist and joined the meeting carrying work his client hadn’t seen. The framed prints were wrapped in brown paper. As he unwrapped them, I saw his face. It was as if he was a little boy receiving a birthday present. It was a very childlike response from the man in a suit. I thought, “This man is a multi-faceted maverick.”
Dave and his client began hanging and rearranging pictures to new positions in the collection. With each new juxtaposition, the work, the room, Dave, the client, and I seemed transformed.
We realized that this project expresses what so may people feel about folks who matter in their lives. This body of work is a unique expression of love. We expect it will inspire and become a model for others. This is a tribute to the fine people we touch (and are touched by) in our lives when we begin to pay attention. And that is exactly what it does.
Dave:
This project greatly expanded our friendship. We shared profoundly intimate portions of our lives. I found his childlike enthusiasm intoxicating.
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