Greenberg, Jan. Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century American Art.
New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2001. 80 p.
Heart to Heart is a poetry collection that ties a poem with a 20th century work of art. Editor Greenberg groups the poetry/art combinations into four motifs. When people look at a piece of art and try to interpret it, often they try to determine what the artists was trying to convey. In my opinion, anything a viewer sees in a work of art is there and each interpretation is valid. This collection helps show students different ways of examining and thinking about art and poetry. When reading the poetry alongside the masterpieces I noticed details in the works that had always been there, but were inaccessible to me due to my point of view. The collection helps the reader step out of the box and be a great supplement to a museum visit or a poetry unit.
One of my favorite combinations was Dan Masterson’s poem about Hopper’s Early Sunday Morning. Masterson created an entire story set in the 1930’s. The kids speaking live in the three windows with the shades drawn. They spend their summer playing stick and cracking the fire hydrant (which still happens in the summer on my block.) I loved how Masterson named the storefronts, which have been always been an abstract blur to me. Masterson also uses Sunday morning as central topic. I had never imagined this image to be as urban as Masterson sees it, but it makes sense. Hopper’s New York was not as developed as my New York.
XJ Kennedy’s poem finally uncovers an interpretation of Stuart Davis’ Premiere.Kennedy is able to use the abstraction of the words to create his storyline. After reading his poem, I could take see a work of art I had always glossed over.
As usual, Ron Koertge’s piece is very funny. His character is an observant, sensitive kid who understands art, especially the George Bellows boxing works. He studied the works so much that when he gets bullied he can knock a guy out like Dempsey does in the paintings. There is a reason to study art!
Another standout was Marvin Bell’s poem on Red Grooms’ work, French Bread. Bell’s interpretation is that the tall man is not really that tall, but his height is manifested by how he feels. He enjoys his job picking up the bread every morning so he feels like the tallest man on the street. The poem talks of the other figures in the composition also performing their ‘assigned’ tasks. If the painting were from their points of view, perhaps they would feel as tall as the big man. In the work of art we are seeing the perception of the man, not his actual size.
This collection may be hard to push to teenagers. The poetry was enlightening and these works of art of true masterpieces. Teens with special interests will find this book very eye opening, and may lead to their own art or poetry.
4Q 1P
12 and up
The cover art perfectly conveys the subject of the book, which is a start. I am not sure the Stuart Davis work was the right one to draw teens’ attention.
Benji's Book Blog 