Last night, dialog:city hosted Ann Hamilton’s work “O.”

A participatory event that took place on the steps of the Performing Arts Complex, we were all given handouts with a script, with several different parts (We were “part A” for example.)

Choirs of adults and children lined the winding stairs of the Complex, waving signs that had the round, brush stroke O encircling the center. A composer had created a choral piece that utilized the letter O, and it was indeed interesting (although the acoustics were a bit difficult in the space we were sitting.) The kid’s choir clapped along and sang, and one soloist took O up and down the musical scales, which was lovely.

After the singing of the “O” and a circular spiritual retooled for our embattled war time era, the audience was asked to read their part from the script. Unfortunately reading like an inspirational poetry night, it was still nice to hear the chorus of voices.

As we left, still waving the O flag, my companion said “It was really nice to see everybody get to hang out at an art event.” That was certainly true- there was certainly a sense of participation and a feeling of enjoyment to the pleasant, energized crowd.