Of Doors & Doorways
And Kindness & Joy
Kindness Check: When you open a door to enter or exit a public place, do you look to see if someone behind you will soon follow you through that door? Oddly, I’ve been thinking about that quite a bit lately.
I’m one of those who almost always looks to see if I should hold the door open for another foot traveler. That simple act most often brings a smile along with thanks. There are a few who walk through seeming to expect it and don’t even make eye contact with me, but so be it.
Lately, I have enjoyed walking through multiple doors held open for me, and seeing the smile that appeared when I thanked the kind person as we met eye-to-eye. Kindness works that way – it brings a spark of joy to both the giver and receiver.
This is a courtesy that is important to me, perhaps because of something I often experienced with my mother. If she was walking ahead of me, she’d open the door wide enough to quickly scurry through and let it close right in front of me. If I was ahead of her she would run to get past me as I opened the door, not ever considering I would keep it open for her. And of course I would have.
People are so interesting. As are doors, which have always intrigued me – especially overseas where the architecture tends to be older and more distinctive than the newer buildings that surround me. Older doors seem to have an air of mystery prompting me to wonder what is behind them. What have these doors seen over time? Who have they protected?
Musing about doors and doorways got me thinking beyond the familiar wood or glass that comes to mind.
Portals as Doorways
Last summer, the Portal art installation opened in New York City at the Flatiron Building along with its companion piece in Dublin, Ireland. Looking through a circular glass, those of us in NY could see people gathering around their portal in Dublin, and vice versa. As I recall, the idea behind the installation was to connect and share cultures. That didn’t work so well.
People being people, a woman bared her breasts and a man mooned the Dublin spectators, shutting it down for a few days while security was brought in to maintain the decorum. The experience consisted of a view of people standing in two locations staring at each other until they finally walked away.
There was nothing that allowed people to communicate. Given how quickly the NY side devolved into showing nudity, microphones would not be a good idea. I shudder to think what someone would say under the guise of humor.
It was a bit other-worldly to see a slice of Dublin life appear in NYC, and that was fun. But it seemed empty. There was no mystery, nothing to be curious about. I longed for that.
The Portal was better used in a recent episode of the TV series Elsbeth, where a man in Dublin saw a murder in NYC via the portals. He and Elsbeth became curious to solve the murder together which, of course, they did. And, of course again, a surprise encounter in NYC was orchestrated to celebrate – without portals.
Doorways without Doors
The Gates offered an entirely different experience – a doorway like no other. This installation, created by Christo and his wife Jeanne-Claude, opened in Central Park twenty years ago. It’s hard to believe that much time has passed. Twenty-three miles of walkways in the park were lined with 7,503 gates, each 16 feet tall. Saffron-colored fabric panels were attached at the top of each gate and danced in the breeze.
I lived in Connecticut at the time and just happened to be in NYC and at the park for the opening and closing weekends. Entering the park and stepping onto the path under a gate seemed to make an announcement that this was something special. That feeling continued while walking under a series of gates. It reminded me of heraldry announcing the arrival of an ancient king or his troops. It was joyously magical.
The Gates appeared in February, the bleakest time of year in the northeast. Grass was brown, trees were bare, and saffron-colored pathways throughout the park could be easily seen. Being surrounded by such a cheery color in the grey of winter was simply beautiful. It brought out the best in all of us as we laughed and enjoyed it together.
Metaphorical Doorways
I recently met someone who has just moved to NYC and is in search of her first professional role here. Two people immediately came to mind for her to meet and I introduced her to them. These two remarkable people always extend a generous hand to help others through what is often an elusive door. Those figurative doorways can be very difficult to navigate.
I am reminded of the memorial service I attended in January for a friend’s husband. Several people noted that as he moved up into more senior roles, he always extended a hand to bring others along with him. That stays with me – and it takes me back to the physical doors we started with.
Looking back, extending a hand, holding a door open – simple actions that belie so much more.
An Opportunity to Reflect
What is your experience of doors and doorways? Have you felt the warmth of being welcomed? Have you offered your hand to others who need help?
Information on the Portal can be found here - and information on The Gates can be found here.
Your kindness check made me think! I am more likely to hold a door open for another than not. I notice younger people not doing this as much anymore except for younger Hawaiians. They still have respect for elders and it's such a pleasure to see and experience. I love your exploration of doors and how they can be a vehicle for kindness.
Cathy, I appreciate how you weave art and life together so effortlessly. This post brings to mind The Chronicles of Narnia and the chance to step into another culture, world, or an aspect of yourself when you are perceptive enough to notice the portal and courageous enough to enter.