Hands are how we interact with the world around us. They connect us to the physical and the the Artist sensory. Hands tell us whether objects are hot or cold, soft or hard, scratchy or fuzzy. Hands that are playing, building, digging, planting, making or creating intrigue me; the creation of one’s own loving art, made with the tools that we all possess. This collection focuses on the musicians’ hands from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO). I was fortunate enough to be able to attend several HSO rehearsals and watch them up close and personal. Hearing a symphony live from the audience is an incredible experience. Being able to watch the dexterity and speed of their fingers and hands is quite different. Focusing solely on the hands brings attention to personal preferences; how they hold their instrument, the callus they have on that finger, the way they hold their pinky on that one note. Watching them play up close is a personal and intimate experience with the musician. The symphony itself is an event of many hands working independently of one another to create one whole experience that is larger than the sum of its parts. On the other hand, this show is an intimate look at the individuality of that whole.