Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 07/29/10

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Mark & Mary Jo

On my way to Coral Cables Il Forno Restaurant I met Mark and Mary Jo, two vacationers on their way to get a bite to eat. They found my bike to be quite squeeky and joked about it with me. We talked about my project and they were eager to answer questions I had about their experiences with lost and found.

When asked what she would do if she lost something dear to her Mary Jo said she would respond with an 'oh fuck.' Her 'oh fuck' came when she lost the diamond out of her ring Mark gave her. She went days without telling Mark, hiding her hands, and a few days later Mark found it on the ground of her living room.

Mark said the most important thing had lost was his mind. But really, he said it was probably his wallet and keys that he lost while naked canoeing in his early twenties. After a night of debauchery their canoe tipped early in the morning, his pants went into the water; keys and wallet gone forever. To top it off, right around the time the canoe tipped a group of Amish women rode by just in time to see a group of naked men looking for their lost possessions.

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Coral Gables Il Forno Restaurant, 07/29/10

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Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruise, 07/29/10

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Bayside Inn Bed & Breakfast, 07/29/10

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DOUGLAS LIBRARY, 07/26/10

Today was a special day for finding. I went to the Douglas Library and found two of my most intriguing lost items so far. A possible wedding ring, and a photo of someone in a hospital bed holding a baby. After venturing downstairs to the Kid's Section I found my favorite childhood book "Linnea in Monet's Garden." I had myself a seat, and read for the rest of the afternoon. Not only did I find some of the best items to boot, but the librarian gave me the ring and picture. After I build a collection of items I plan on curating a Lost and Found Box Show.

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THE LOST & FOUND STUDIO GALLERY, 7/24/10

When I walked outside to get on the bus, my class pointed out this truck. I took a few pictures and waited around, but the owner didn't show up. Next on my agenda is to find out a bit more about this truck and what it could mean for my project.

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THE WHITE HOUSE, 7/24/10

Today David Barton, the bar owner's son, (pictured in the background) gifted me twenty four earrings, two bangles, a necklace, a pendant and an 'old fart' hat from the lost and found. I refer to employees in charge of the lost and found as keepers. Generally keepers are reluctant to give away any items, even though they generally throw them away after several months. David said that at The White House they often give away lost and found items as prizes at different bar games. These items are the beginning of a my own lost and found collection which I plan to use to either make art objects, or curate in a lost and found show.

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MOTEL SHIP 'N SHORE, 7/24/10

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Keewatin Maritime Museum, 07/23/10

The Keewatin Maritime Museum takes their lost and found quite seriously. The employee wouldn't let me take a picture of him with his collection, but he boasted about it, informing me that they kept items for years. The pocket watch pictured on the far left has been at the Museum for around twenty years.

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RED DOCK, 07/23/10

I went to the Red Dock a shanty-like patio bar and cafe, where resident Ox-Bow chefs Mikey and Eric DJ Reggae on Wednesdays until sunset. The outside of the bar is covered with loud posters, bumper stickers and pro-weed propaganda, so I wondered what I might discover inside. Curious what this crowd might leave behind, I went in and asked to see their lost and found. Tony directed me to this empty cardboard box.

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WEST SHORE GOLF CLUB, 07/23/10

The West Shore Golf Club has quite a collection of clubs, but club owner Paul was uninterested in my idea of selling or donating the clubs. He told me people nowadays don't want mismatched sets. I disagree, so I have plans on making a LOST AND FOUND Directory, which would allow the public to search items by category. If keepers plan on throwing perfectly useful items away, why not beat the system and go get things you want or need for free.

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