Monday Hearts for Madalene

by Page Hodel

When a person falls in love, the universe—and everything in it—come vividly alive. It happened to San Francisco artist Page Hodel when she found the love of her life, Madalene Rodriguez. She expressed her devotion in an unusual Early every Monday morning, Page would create a heart for Madalene and leave it for her to discover somewhere near her front door. Tragically, Madalene died of ovarian cancer less than a year after she and Page met. But Page’s love goes on, beautifully symbolized in the hearts she continues to create from a plenitude of objects. Here are photographs of one hundred of Page’s hearts for Madalene, fashioned from a magical, surprising diversity of acorns and asparagus; berries, buttons, and bungee cord; cardboard, clothespins, corks, and candy corn. True love embraces the world, and Page’s art is testimony to its enduring faith.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Yuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little coffee table type book - not necessarily a good "read" but a good "look". Maybe it's because I have a special place in my heart for art/photography/creativity...but I loved this little book. The story behind the book is even more beautiful than some of its photographs - about falling in love and the power of love and what it can create.

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how many times I hear the story of Page and Madalene's love, it always suprises me. I am lucky enough to know both of these women. Madalene is my cousin and when I was able to meet Page, many years after Madalene had left out world, her love for her still showed through. Most of us are never lucky enough to experience love they way the did.

[Manintheboat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab your box of tissues and the one you love.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous!!!!!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and thoughtful - photos of the author's meditative decorative hearts for her beloved

[lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely

[Niki Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I review one of my favorite art books written by one of my favorite human beings on the planet? I have LOVED Page Hodel since I was 21 years old when we first met. She is a MASTER DJ, understanding the NEED to dance in order to live. I am now 64, and I LOVE her even MORE. The Q Club was my FIRST chosen family and home away from my native Washington, DC. Yes. I chose a women's dance party all the way west in northern California to build family that could totally embrace who I was as an artist and as a very young woman who KNEW that I had the FREEDOM to LOVE the way I believed in love. All I had to do is find the community that could support and appreciate who I was and how I loved. Page Hodel built that community one record...one beautiful wax with a needle on it playing music that allowed me to DANCE the world I believed in.

Page is a TRUE artist, making sure every Q Club party was visually and thematically a deep immersive experience. She has used her visual artistry and use of the camera for many clubs and many events through out her long career. I never knew the depth of the LOVE and artistry that Page had until she fell in love with Madalene. I was gone from San Francisco then. When Page Hodel finally published her incredible collection of art work dedicated to Madelene that she shared with her loved ones digitally on a weekly basis to keep us united and keep us inspired despite massive tragedies too many of us had to work through, I was simply floored by the impact! Not only was it all so healing, it was an act of CARE simply to own one of these treasures. It said, "I LOVE YOU" to each person who looked upon each heart and each story. Love liberates, as Dr Maya Angelou often reminded us.

This book liberates me EVERY time I pick it up.

I hope it has the SAME effect on each owner of each book.