Re/Re/Rewrite June 2022: Painting Poems
Hello Rewrites!
In 1974, painter Joan Mitchell, who was in a bit of an artistic rut, decided to “paint” some poems by poet James Schuler. It’s said that the artist would often switch mediums when stuck, and her early love of poetry was often an inspiration. The result of Mitchell’s poetic turn is a lovely series of pastel works with the typewritten words from the poems included on each page. A recent traveling exhibition presents these Joan Mitchell collaborations, which include interpretations of works by poets as varied as Frank O'Hara, John Ashbury and J.J. Mitchell.
For our summer-time prompt, we’ll do what Joan did. We’ll start by sharing images (paintings, photos, collages, and video) as well as poems. Make a few and put them in the “source” folder by June 24, 2022. Imagine your painting, collage or photo illustrated with text! Or, imagine your poem reinterpreted visually!
The second step is to, again, follow Joan. Pick something from the source folder and through interpretation, transform it into something else. Paint a poem. Write a poem to accompany a video. Draw some words or write some images. Mix and match. Start a dialogue. When you’re ready, put your finished work(s) in the “transformed” folder (before July 24!).
All are welcome to participate in any part of the process. Maybe you just want to send along a poem and see what happens. Or maybe you just want to interpret and transform. That’s fine! Join us -
We’ll plan to meet on July 24 to experience the magic of transmutation.