And as you all know, Tal passed away on April 17, 2014 and his friend Otto, three months later on July 17, 2014 while preparing for a Sky Event and retrospective of his work at Berlin's Neue National Galley.
In preparation for Otto Piene's memorial service this coming November 8th 2014 at MIT's Kresge Auditorium 3:30PM. Friends and former CAVS fellows were asked to submit writing celebrating Piene's life and contribution.
Tal wrote this poem for Otto last September, 2013 on receiving Otto's gift of the huge book on Otto's life's work up until that date. He dictated* this letterpoem the next morning to Romig. She recently passed a copy to those organizing the event.
"For Otto"
Thank you for your wonderful book, Otto Piene.
Thank you for being so hard for us other mortals to keep up with.
Thank you for having a wonderful wife, your Elizabeth.
Thanks for keeping your neighbors, us, awake with your light.
Someday I hope your light will shine to the moon
when you have figured out that trip.
People most often are disappointed to see
This lump of rock..so far from the earth.
They forget that our perception of the moon
Is all about the beauty of light reflected from the sun.
The beauty of the moon is in
This fragile piece of light.
Day after day,
Night after night, Otto.
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For further reading on Otto Piene, I would suggest having a look at the MIT Center for Advanced Visual Studies - CAVS website.
Here is a selection of Otto's books that Tal had in his library (Now at Dream of Flight Museum and Library, Santa Fe NM) :
Lissa - Fall 2014 Paris
