grift
08/21/2007
My Early Muir Owl: A Surprise Proposal
We’ve all heard of people surprising their sweethearts with marriage proposals on the JumboTron at sporting events, and while that does require a degree of effort and planning, I think George, the gentleman who made this video, has taken the public, sneak-attack proposal to a new level. The event seen here (a gallery opening) is of a much smaller scale than a professional sporting event, but keep in mind that the entire gathering was concocted by George, from the ground up, as an “elaborate ruse” to trick his girlfriend Sara into viewing his proposal. Sara was told that the opening was for artist “Serge Gandora” exhibiting a new work called “My Early Muir Owl.” Little did she know that the piece had been created and installed by George himself. Viewed from most angles, “My Early Muir Owl” appears to be nothing but a series of random geometric shapes mounted on poles. But when viewed from just the right angle the shapes align to pop the question “Will You Marry Me?”
The cleverest of children will note that “Serge Gandora” is actually and anagram for “Sara and George” and “My Early Muir Owl” an anagram for “Will You Marry Me.” It looks like this devious little scheme went well. I have to give mad props to anyone who can grift their beloved, House of Games-style, into a lifetime commitment. It gives new meaning to the term “long con.”
