30 September 2001

WHERE WE TURN

Words often fail in times of tragedy. Maybe that's why people turn to music and pictures when their focus, equilibrium, and security are challenged by personal or global unrest.

A few days after 11 September I put Tom's portrait of Anna Mossman on my computer desktop, and I find myself looking at it for long stretches -- long enough for the screen saver to kick in.

Recent events have heightened our emotions with regard to loved ones and increased our awareness of the generosity of strangers. We have an altered focus on people. What do we do in times of need? We look at each other: to see if they're okay, if we're okay; to seek a witness of the immediate experience. This month our site gives you people, seen deeply.

Tom has said the artists' role is to see on behalf of other people. It's been a great help to me, and I offer that help to you.

Thanks for the many emails of concern. Luckily, all's well with me and mine in the Washington-Baltimore corridor.

Cheers,
JOHN NICK PULL, editor.

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