Unchecked Momentum: Abstract Expressionism & The New York School
Thursdays, April 11-May 16, 2019 (six sessions)*
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Guide: Coleman Stevenson, Tuition: $235
*This seminar meets at the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave, Portland OR)
In 2000, the Portland Art Museum acquired the Clement Greenberg Collection of 159 paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures by some of the most important American artists of the mid-20th century. Greenburg, the prominent and influential writer and art critic, is most known for his promotion of the Abstract Expressionist painters including Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, Willem de Kooning, and many others. This Delve will explore pieces in the Greenberg Collection alongside Greenberg’s essays on art, as well as the words of another leading writer of that era, poet, art critic, and MOMA curator Frank O’Hara. O’Hara was a leading figure in the New York School, an informal group of artists, writers and musicians who drew inspiration from abstract expressionism, action painting, and collaboration across genres. We will read his collection of essays, Art Chronicles: 1954-1966, accompanied by some of his poems that demonstrate the feel of art and life in the NYC of that era.
Reading List: Frank O’Hara, Art Chronicles: 1954-1966, plus supplemental readings
FIRST WEEK ASSIGNMENT:
SEMINAR GUIDE:
Coleman Stevenson is an illustrator, writer, tarot practitioner. She is the artist behind the Dark Exact Tarot Deck and author of two poetry books, Breakfast: 43 Poems and The Accidental Rarefication of Pattern #5609. She is co-curator of The Doppelgänger Museum, a multimedia collaboration with artist and sound designer Aspen Farer. She has taught a variety of subjects at institutions around Portland, including creative writing, literature, folklore, culture & design, and image & text interaction.
Delve Access Program
We want Delve seminars to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. We are happy to offer an Access Program which provides reduced tuition to qualifying participants. Our Access Program offers Delve seminar registrations at a sliding scale amount of $45-$100 per registration.
We are able to offer at least 25 Access Spots in the 2018-19 season, due to a generous gift from Sue and Ed Einowski. Contact Susan Moore at susan@literary-arts.org if you would like to take a Delve at the Access Rate.
