The Catalogue of Almost-Loves: Women Who Tried (and Failed) to Decode Noah Savett

(Arranged Chronologically, with Corresponding Sculptures as Evidence)

1. The Anthropologist (1987, Botswana)

The Anthropologist that got away.

What She Believed:
That her PhD in cultural semiotics could "translate" his silence.

How It Ended:
She left after he welded her field notes into "The Dictionary of Unspoken Things" (1996).

Related Sculpture:
”Baltic Forest” by Noah Savett which features wood he “gathered” from her Anthropological camp in Central Africa

2. The War Photographer (1992, Sarajevo)

The “War Correspondent” Noah Savett’s deadliest crush

What She Believed:
That shared trauma would make him vulnerable.

How It Ended:
She caught him melting down a bullet casing from her own vest for "Fossil 1."

Related Sculpture:
Her military helmet, or what was left of it, is embedded into the fabric of the outer shell. Her darkroom chemicals, were the basis the the sculptures patina.

3. The Poetry MFA (1998, Brooklyn)

The Poet, who’s words transfixed Noah Savett

What She Believed:
That free verse could "unlock his heart."

How It Ended:
He recycled her love letters as filler for "Chew Toy With Bone."

Related Sculpture:
The "Chew Toy with Bone" was made from her favorite tote bag.

4. The Marine Biologist
(2008, Gulf of Mexico - now Gulf of America)

Noah Savett fell in love with a marine biologist yet she could not commit because of her love of ocean mammal culture and language.

What She Believed:
That saving dolphins would make him see her as a fellow savior.

How It Ended:
He used her shark-tooth necklace in "Cupid at Sea" without asking.

Related Sculpture:
The fabricated steel "Cupid at Sea" is shaped like her last text to him: "???"

5. The Art Therapist (2018, Hudson Valley)

The “Art therapist” believed she could heal Noah Savett’s emotional wounds. What she didn’t realize his emotional scars were symbols of pride from a life well lived.

What She Believed:
That her degree could "heal his creative wounds."

How It Ended:
He gifted her maquette of "Wife Beater" as a "breakup piece."

Related Sculpture:
Blood Parasite Study. The red streaks? Her nail polish, flicked off in her constant frustration Noah’s infatuation with welding rather than switching to watercolors.

6. The Bartender (2022, Plattsburgh)

The new bartender at the local restaurant in SARATOGA SPRINGS, lended Noah Savett her ear, but did not only served drinks,

What She Believed:
That tequila and patience would soften him.

How It Ended:
She found his sketchbook—her face scribbled over with "See Sculpture 47."

Related Sculpture:
"Dawg"’s collar is engraved with her phone number.