I was trying to say a couple of things yesterday afternoon at Tate Modern, where you talked about your hanging policy, but the chair did not seem to see me. Perhaps he thought I was trouble? Anyway, I wanted to say two things only. First, I wanted to congratulate you on the hang and the way you performed yesterday. You were strong, poised, and yet you were open, receptive, giving. Indeed, you were beautiful, too. It was a pleasure to be in your presence. Second, I wanted to ask you what was Nick’s rôle in the new hanging policy.

Addendum (January 13, 2001)

I forgot to mention who the chair was. It was no-one else but Andrew Brighton, the man responsible for education at Tate Modern. A few weeks earlier Lauren and I met him at a discussion organized by the Institute of Ideas, where we all sat around a big table. In fact, Lauren sat next to him. Although I was now sitting with Lauren in the first or second row of Starr Auditorium, and although we had exchanged a few words before the event, he behaved as though he did not see my raised hand. And I raised my hand two or three times at least. Perhaps he had already sensed we were on a collision course.