Letters From Tim

If you don’t recognize this sculpture (or the thousands of variations of it…including the U.S. postage stamp) then you have likely been living under a rock (especially if you are from Indiana). It was created in 1976 by the notable and famous pop artist, Robert Indiana. But I hate to offend anyone so let me COMPLETELY offend myself instead. Hold on to your seats…because this story is a doozy.

Nate and I attended an open house at the Stutz Building to visit our friends at Detail and Design. We were having a lovely evening but needed to scadaddle off to dinner with family and friends to celebrate Nate’s birthday.

As we walked out of the Stutz, I saw my van from a distance getting smashed into by a driver attempting to get out of the parking space behind mine. We immediately called the police. It appeared as if the operator of the vehicle was inebriated after demonstrating poor motor skills, some odd jokes, comments that the police weren’t necessary, and some attempts to leave the scene of the accident. At one point, he even tried giving us his card and flipped out some cash. I really let Nate deal with the situation because I was flustered. I kept thinking…just in time for Tim to come home and our van is wrecked!

Now…I am a mother of four and a former President of SADD. I told the police I did not feel comfortable letting the gentleman on the road without a breathalyser. So…in come a cadre of police to surround the scene (and the enormous event at the Stutz, I might add). It was definitely overkill. Come to find out, the gentleman was NOT inebriated but had nerve damage in his feet.

Now during this process, a small group stopped to talk to the older gentlemen who hit my car. I overheard them loudly say in a very sarcastic tone, “ROBERT, DO THEY EVEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE?” So from a distance I replied, “Well, who is he?” Their response, “One of the most famous artists from Indiana and in the WORLD!” So of course, my interest is piqued but we are now handed our papers and asked to proceed.

It was the topic of our dinner conversation. Our friend Monica, the prior catering director at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, said, “Do you think it could have been Robert Indiana? Was he old enough to be born in 1928?” I thought two things: surely not…it could NOT have been Robert Indiana and did she know her minutia.

Let’s just say, I got home, Googled “Robert Indiana” searching immediately for images of him. Within about 30 seconds, I felt like the most enormous loser! Yes indeed…I was standing next to one of the greatest pop artists ever, a huge fan of his, an enormous lover of his messages, an Indiana-native, and me…a total flustered freak.

In hindsight, I wish I would have been more forgiving and not so judgmental. I still would have suggested he was given a breathalyser because his actions certainly warranted it. But I wish I wouldn’t have been so concerned about my silly bumper and actually talked to the man who clearly at 80 years old and an amazing career would have something interesting to say.

Anyone want to make bids on my custom, one-of-kind-Robert Indiana bumper?