Hey Sal, I love Frank O'Hara! For so many reasons, which right now I don't have time to even begin to list. But I just want to very briefly reminisce about that weekend many moons ago when the two of us spent a couple of ordinary-extraordinary days walking around all over Frankfurt, Germany, using the map of New York City, visiting a series of specific addresses in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and always finding exactly what we were looking for. Do these precious memories qualify? (One day I really will write them all down, using a typewriter, or at least a typewriter font ...)
Thanks, Debbie. It's funny to think of Frank O'Hara as a heritage artist because for me he's always so present and alive. Maybe that's true of all the artists and writers we love.
I did hesitate to use the term 'heritage artist' as often this might be used to indicate people from centuries ago, and then i decided to use it anyhow, as he certainly did bring artists from all modalities together, creating community in a fashion in New York. I agree, artists and writers we love speak to us over time. I just published a two part series on Du Fu, a Chinese poet who lived around 1400 years ago, yet his poems of coping through the chaos around him are still alive and relevant today. A lot of people probably wouldn't agree with 'heritage artist' for Frank O'Hara, but 'heritage' doesnt have to be ancient, so I used in anyhow!!
Fascinating, Sal! I’m game to try it later today. The “recipe” you linked to is quite a list of ingredients! Have you tried it? Loves this: “I can’t even enjoy a blade of grass unless I know there’s a subway handy, or a record store or some other sign that people do not totally regret life.”
Julie! I hope you report back with your results. I haven't tried Thom Donovan's recipe yet — I came across it recently — but maybe I'll give it a go this afternoon!
Indeed! I think I've read other people's versions of New York school recipes, but I couldn't turn one up. I'll keep looking.
To start, you could try just the first 5 items on the list. Or skipping around, using whichever elements catch your imagination.
Also the exercise was meant to be a simpler version: "Name the street corners, the friends who you are thinking of, the time of day, the movie you might go to, the book in your pocket, the headline you just read. Expand this out to everything that isn’t happening right now, but occupies your dreams and your imagination; bring it all into the present moment."
Hey Sal, I love Frank O'Hara! For so many reasons, which right now I don't have time to even begin to list. But I just want to very briefly reminisce about that weekend many moons ago when the two of us spent a couple of ordinary-extraordinary days walking around all over Frankfurt, Germany, using the map of New York City, visiting a series of specific addresses in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and always finding exactly what we were looking for. Do these precious memories qualify? (One day I really will write them all down, using a typewriter, or at least a typewriter font ...)
Oh, yes, they absolutely qualify! Those were splendid days of names, places, conversations, and friendship—poems in their own right.
I have an Olivetti handy in my studio if you ever need me to type something up.
a lovely meditation on how heritage artists can inspire us to create and be inspired
Thanks, Debbie. It's funny to think of Frank O'Hara as a heritage artist because for me he's always so present and alive. Maybe that's true of all the artists and writers we love.
I did hesitate to use the term 'heritage artist' as often this might be used to indicate people from centuries ago, and then i decided to use it anyhow, as he certainly did bring artists from all modalities together, creating community in a fashion in New York. I agree, artists and writers we love speak to us over time. I just published a two part series on Du Fu, a Chinese poet who lived around 1400 years ago, yet his poems of coping through the chaos around him are still alive and relevant today. A lot of people probably wouldn't agree with 'heritage artist' for Frank O'Hara, but 'heritage' doesnt have to be ancient, so I used in anyhow!!
I love Du Fu! I spent my pandemic lockdown trying to learn Classical Chinese, and practicing with Du Fu’s poems.
What a great way to have spent lockdown!
It was super fun. I ran across a book called “Classical Chinese for Everyone: A Guide for Absolute Beginners” and I couldn’t resist.
Well done you! Classical Chinese is so different from modern Chinese - I started an online course and have yet to finish it!! 😳
Substack is amazing - who'd have thought commenting on. a New York poet would lead to a discussion on Classical Chinese and Du Fu!!!!!!
✨🌃✨
Fascinating, Sal! I’m game to try it later today. The “recipe” you linked to is quite a list of ingredients! Have you tried it? Loves this: “I can’t even enjoy a blade of grass unless I know there’s a subway handy, or a record store or some other sign that people do not totally regret life.”
Julie! I hope you report back with your results. I haven't tried Thom Donovan's recipe yet — I came across it recently — but maybe I'll give it a go this afternoon!
Reading it felt like diving into a Julia Child recipe as a novice cook. 😂
Indeed! I think I've read other people's versions of New York school recipes, but I couldn't turn one up. I'll keep looking.
To start, you could try just the first 5 items on the list. Or skipping around, using whichever elements catch your imagination.
Also the exercise was meant to be a simpler version: "Name the street corners, the friends who you are thinking of, the time of day, the movie you might go to, the book in your pocket, the headline you just read. Expand this out to everything that isn’t happening right now, but occupies your dreams and your imagination; bring it all into the present moment."
Good advice!