“13 Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird “ book realease
In conjunction with “Straight on ‘til Morning”
River’s Edge Gallery is excited to announce the release of “13 Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird”
On November 19th from 7-9pm (doors at 6:30) Martine MacDonald will be on hand to sign copies of her new book “13 Ways Of Looking At A Blackbird”.
There will be selected readings from the book and pre ordered prints and excerpts from the book will be available for pick up. You will also be able to order prints or purchase any of the available originals on display.
Light treats and refreshments will be provided and social district drinks are welcome from the participating outside bars & restaurants.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Wallace Stevens included “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” as one of 72 poems compiled in his poetry collection Harmonium (1923), he could hardly have anticipated the impact of the poem for contemporary readers. Elegantly sparse, the thirteen segments, or “sensations” as Stevens referred to them, are bound together around the theme of viewing the physical, emotional, and philosophical world through the lens of the blackbird. It’s not always easy to comprehend his work, and Stevens himself was reluctant to clarify his poems, explaining that only the writer needed to understand them. This poem, which has sometimes been described as having the tone of a haiku, has been parsed and given over to scholarly analysis, its title and structure have been borrowed by other writers, and the poem itself now and again has been parodied. “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” has stood the test of time and is rightly considered a masterpiece of modern poetry. Like many visual artists, I was drawn to the imagery of his blackbirds and I was inspired to interpret the poem as a visual echo to his minimalist style of writing. Before beginning the illustrations, I spent considerable time reading and rereading the poems, consulting literary critiques for suggestions on what might lie beneath his intentions, and learning the definitions of words such as “equipage” that would have been familiar to a reader in 1923. While some of the “sensations” lend themselves to more literal interpretations—“…A tree / In which there are three blackbirds.”—other stanzas were more puzzling to put into a visual image. After all, how does one depict “…Flying in a green light…” when confining oneself to using only a black and white palette? In the end, I decided to design black “paper cuts” mounted on 5 x 7-inch white paper, with the images reduced to simplified elements of shape and space. To the thirteen illustrations, I added two additional ones to serve as “bookends.” When I completed the project, I could say, as Wallace Stevens did, “…That the blackbird is involved / In what I know.” Martine MacDonald
ABOUT “STRAIGHT ON ‘TIL MORNING”
This show is a meaningful presentation of never before seen works by the late Patricia Izzo (1948-2021) & new works by Martine MacDonald. Both artists had started planning and working on this show in 2019 to open in 2020. The pandemic changed these plans but both artists used this extra year to work on even more pieces. And after two years both artists had created a large body of never before seen works.
Even when Izzo died just months before the show was set to open the idea that it would not go on was never entertained. It is fulfilling a promise to have this show no matter what by her fellow artist and co-presenter, Martine and her Gallery, River's Edge Gallery in downtown Wyandotte. Patricia was not only represented in the gallery since its inception over 40 years ago but also has maintained her studio on the third floor for many years.
For Martine and the Gallery "Straight On 'til Morning" has become a bittersweet exhibition. It is the 4th exhibition at River's Edge gallery featuring Izzo and MacDonald. According to Martine MacDonald, "During Patty's last months we would meet at River's Edge, sitting outside her studio. She loved talking about our latest exhibit. Patty made me "pinky" promise that we would not only have this show, but an additional one at a later date. Well, a promise is a promise, and having this exhibit is my attempt to honor Patty, our abiding friendship, and her wish that the "show must go on." Martine also revealed that even though her and Patty worked on this show together discussing their own art and approaches, neither saw the other's work. In fact, this will be an unveiling for all. No one was privy to their final completed pieces.
Jeremy Hansen, gallery director of River's Edge Gallery stated, "Patty was voraciously working on new works, pushing her boundaries and throwing caution to the wind. Although she did state that many may be surprised by the new work as she felt it was softer, more connected to nature. She was usually very private when it came to creating her art. It is always such a joy to see the newly created series in its entirety. This show is not a memorial but simply an exhibition of new works by two artists who have been diligently crafting and planning for this show." .
Patt Slack, founder of River's Edge Gallery and dear friend for many years added " We never talked about Patty's diagnosis of cancer in that she nor I thought it would take her out. This was never planned for although every other detail of the show was. Patty has used new techniques and presentations for the new pieces that will be in this show. Her collectors will be delighted.."
Martine MacDonald is a venerable artist whose studio is located in the James R Desana Centre for Arts & Culture in Wyandotte. MacDonald will be displaying new works specifically created for this show and will also exhibit her original illustrations for "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird", based on a poem by the same title by Wallace Stevens.
According to Martine, "I feel the loss of my dear friend profoundly. There have been many moments when I am eager to share with Patty my latest thoughts about the upcoming exhibit only to remember she is no longer with us. But, then again, I am so pleased, and I know Patty would be as well, that the exhibit is going forward.”
The Book release party happens 7-9pm November 19th, doors at 6:30pm
“Straight On ‘til Morning” is on display until January 14th during gallery hours or contact 734-246-9880 or info@artattheedge.com to schedule a private viewing