Relationship between Poetry and Painting
There is a relationship between Poetry and Painting. Literary Poetry and Painting are manifications of a synthesis. Poetry and Painting alike are created through composition. Whereas the poet does his job by virtue of an effort of the mind, he is essentially
in rapport with the painter, who does his job with respect to the problem of form and color.
According to poet Wallace Stevens there is “a Universal poetry” of which both literary poetry and painting are manifestations. Art and composition are one; poetry and painting alike are created through composition. Where the poet does his work by virtue of the mind he is in rapport with the painter who does his job with respect to the problems of form and color. Artist have become writers, and writers have become artists. Presenting people with both poetry and visual art “shifts the emotional center.
When people are presented with both poetry and visual art the emotional center is shifted. Speaking on the work of poet Robert Greeley, Francesco Clemente tells us that the poet’s work of the mind, and the artist’s work that is related to problems of form and color become evident.
Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt. Even when in New York when you do get a chance to stop in front of a specific work of art it is sometimes difficult to engage with and interpret what you are looking at. It is up to the viewer to make sense of a work of art.
An exhibit entitled, ”Uncontested Spaces: Guerilla Readings” was Part of the inaugural artist experiment, a series of collaborations between MOMA’s Education department and artists, including poet Kenneth Goldman who performed readings in MOMA’s galleries. On Wednesday 2013 several different poets and artists performed.
Both Poetry and Painting are endeavors of the aesthetic. Aesthetic enterprises occupy the realm of the emotional as opposed to the logical. Poetry and art evoke feelings; not necessarily reason. To my mind, the job of the art critic is an enigma. Artistic judgements are subjective. I do not understand how any universal conclusions can be made concerning art. That is not to say that that there is art that I like and art that does not appeal to me. I just have difficulty articulating what appeals to me and what I do not like in the realm of the aesthetic.
Gallery U is holding a special exhibit of artwork and poetry entitled, “Ekphrasis: Art & Words.;” from April 7- May 2, 2016.There will be a select preview at Montclair Art Museum on Thursday, April 7, 2016, 5-7pm. The opening reception at Gallery U Westfield will be held Friday, April 8, 2016 Poetry Reading at 7pm. All are welcome.
John B.
