Bibliography:
Greenberg, J. (ed). 2001. HEART TO HEART: NEW POEMS INSPIRED BY TWENTIETH-CENTURY AMERICAN ART. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. ISBN 0810943867.
Plot Summary:
The anthology Heart to Heart was created when Editor Jan Greenberg invited forty-three American poets to select a 20th century American artwork to base a poem upon. Kristine O’Connell George, X. J. Kennedy, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Jane Yolen are among the selected poets while some of the selected artists are Thomas Hart Benton, Stuart Davis, Jim Dine, and Faith Ringgold. The collection is divided into four sections entitled stories, voices, impressions, and expressions that respectively represent poems that tell an anecdote, speak for the artwork, represent the poet’s viewpoint, and reflect the nature of the artist. Biographical notes and a list of on both the poets and artists are included in addition to an index.
Critical Analysis:
This Printz Award Honor book is an anthology of forty-three poems by prominent American poets who have written poems influenced by American artists. Each poem is presented with its companion artwork which is printed in color and large enough to see the details of the artwork. The selected artworks are paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures that vary in theme from figurative, landscape, and abstract. Under each artwork the artist, title, year, and media used are listed.
The poems range in format from sonnets, free verse, and rhymed verse while also using poetic devices such as rhyme, pattern, simile, metaphor, and more. The poems are best suited for older students even though there are some exceptions such as Deborah Pope's On Lichtenstein's "Bananas & Grapefruit" which is an irreverent and fun exploration of the graphic artwork that simplifies the fruit into thick black lines filled with vibrant yellow. She uses rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration to create a visceral experience for the reader. Pope writes "sluice of juices/squeezy teases/swelling lemon/jujubeezes" in a poem that undulates across the page.
This book is beautifully presented filled with an array of art in both visual and written form. An excellent text to use for creative writing, poetry breaks, or within an art classroom because it enforces the connections between image and word. It presents a different interpretation that alters how the artwork and poem are understood. Each item can stand on its own, but when combined the two forms of artwork transform each other.
Poem Excerpt:
A Word
by Gary Gildner
Give me I said to those round
young faces a round word
and they looked at me
fully puzzled until finally
several cried What do you mean?
I mean I said round round
you know about round
and Oh yes they said but
give us examples!
Okay I said let’s have a
square word
square maybe
will lead us to round.
And they groaned
they groaned and they frowned
every one except one
little voice way in the back said
Toast.
(about the painting That Red One by Arthur Dove)
Review Excerpts:
KIRKUS REVIEWS
“A beautiful volume that brings words and pictures together in wonderful tributes from artist to artist.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“If a picture book is defined as a marriage of word and art, then Heart to Heart is not only a wonderful poetry collection, but also a picture book of the highest quality.”
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES “Anyone with an interest in art or poetry will be drawn to this delightful book that celebrates the connections between poet and artist and between reader and viewer. “
Connections:
The class can continue studying poets and/or artists.The class could also participate in a discussion about how different artworks are interpreted and if there is a correct interpretation. Students could also complete a similar assignment where they write a poem about a selected artwork.
No comments:
Post a Comment