When I began drafting the architecture for “Gateway,” I found myself reflecting on the state of transition between large chapters of life. My emotional state was turbulent. I was beginning my final semester at University of Illinois—a fundamentally transformative time in my life—and I was caught in a brief stage where the next chapter of my journey was amorphous. Leading up to this period many of the healthy structures of my life lay in ruins as a result from separation from my long term partner. I was encountering bouts of suicidal ideation, and then my father fought a battle with brain cancer. The impetus for the structure of the piece came from one of the first moments of resolution during this time of my life.

The title “Gateway” operates on several levels. The piece is a sound map of a walk I took at Helene Gateway in October of 2024. This park is next to the Alumni building at University of Illinois and features a large fountain, an iconic arch, and the nearby, busy Lincoln Avenue. Emotionally this work is a meditation on the uncertainty during transitionary periods of life, an entryway to express longing for resolution from deep pain, and a portal to a brief escape from relentless chaos.