CC: What is the best thing about Cleveland?
LB: The intersection of industry (soot, smokestacks, steel, smog, freighters) with nature (blue heron, sea/lake gulls, deer, Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River, Ohio/Erie Canal). It's exemplified at the Ohio and Erie Canal Park off of Grant St. and E. 49th. The combination of industry + outdoors makes Clevelanders unique. I think it's why the goth/industrial music scene has thrived here for so long (it's probably why I keep my lips bright red and my hair jet black), and why most Clevelanders don't take themselves too seriously. If you feel the need to put things into perspective, all you need to do is look at Lake Erie before a thunderstorm - it doesn't take long to realize that there are forces that are much greater than we are.
CC: The worst thing about Cleveland?
LB: The month of February. It's gray, cold, wet, and gloomy, by then, everyone's had it with winter. Even though it's the shortest month, it feels like it's the longest.
CC: What does Cleveland need to do to become indispensable in the 21 Century?
LB: The "new guard," or as Richard Florida calls it, the "creative class," has to have a seat at the tables where decisions are being made. Cleveland is still a city where old WAS Ps? make most of the decisions. These people are taking too long to make changes and they are sucking the life out of the community.
CC: What has been your greatest contribution to the region?
LB: Making things happen without backing from an institution or funding source. My husband Kristin and I wanted to do art shows, but we couldn't afford a house and gallery space, so we made part of our house into a gallery. Even if we only have time to do one show a year, we have the freedom to do it on our own terms. We make the rules...that kind of freedom is empowering.
CC: What has been your biggest failure and what did you learn from it?
LB: In the relationship department (until recently), I've had many failed relationships. I learned to be less idealistic about marriage and that you never really know what goes on between two people who are in love. When people break up, no one can ever understand what happened except for them. For this reason, I try not to gossip or take sides when couples split up.
CC: What do you want to be remembered for when you're gone?
LB: I want my son, Gabe, to remember me as a smart, strong, woman and a good mother.
CC: Who do you you look up to?
LB: My grandmother, June Bly, who died in 1996. She was the strongest, kindest, most stubborn person I've ever met.
CC: Do you have a motto?
LB: I don't have a motto, but once when I was really down on Cleveland (Kristin was in Amsterdam working on an art project and I was stuck here working at a sucky job I had at the time), my friend Melannie (Miss Melvis) said, "You have to be a total bad-ass to live in this city, and I love it here." She's right. Whenever I feel depressed because of what this city lacks, I think about what she said and it makes me smile.
CC: What's the best advice you've been offered?
LB: Many things in life are completely out of our control. Once you understand this, you will be more relaxed and more at peace you're your existence.
CC: Where are you most likely to hang out?
LB: Siam Café, or at one of Cleveland's many art galleries.
CC: Where are you least likely to hang out?
LB: Jacob's Field, Brown's Stadium, or the Flats. (:divend:)