With the end of Whitman’s bicentennial year in sight I thought I’d share an update on the numerous Whitman-related projects I’ve been involved with since my last post in May.
In May I read “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” to a small group of Whitman enthusiasts in Fort Green Park, organized by my Whitman friend Greg Trupiano.
In June I participated in Karen Karbiener’s annual marathon reading of Whitman’s epic poem“Song of Myself”. The two hour reading was interrupted by a torrential downpour, and although the rain thinned the audience considerably it did nothing to dampen the sprits of those of us who stayed to the end.
In June and July Greg Trupiano and I gave walking tours of “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” in Dumbo. The tours, organized by Brooklyn Historical Society, were a mix of history, poetry, opera, and photography, and provided participants with a broad and engaging experience of Whitman’s inspiring poem.
In October my alma mater, The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, invited me to give a presentation at their annual Return to Evergreen alumni weekend on the Whitman work I’d been doing throughout the year. In addition to the presentation I had a wonderful time collaborating with my dear friend Jami Heinricher at Sherwoood Press on a limited edition letterpress poster titled “What is it then between us?” Enormous thanks to John McClain for inviting me to participate in this wonderful weekend!
In November I collaborated with Berle’s Poetry Shop in Dumbo, Walt Whitman scholar Karen Karbiener, and author Brian Selznick on a small but fun mail art project. Following on the recent release of the new Walt Whitman stamp by the US Postal Service participants covered large envelopes with lines of Whitman’s poetry and accompanying drawings, as well as one of the new stamps. Inside the envelope was a copy of the Whitman publication I’d designed in the spring. Envelopes were sent to family and friends but also, and mainly, to elected officials in Washington, D.C. Our hope was that the mail would prompt its recipients to contemplate Whitman’s democratic ideals.
Finally, in November, a group of my pinhole photos, alongside my “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” book mockup, were included in an exhibit at the New York Center for Book Arts that addressed Whitman’s influence on artists. As part of the exhibit I was invited to participate in a panel discussion of photographers in the exhibit. I was delighted to share the stage with name and name and name.
A sad note of conclusion after an extraordinary year of creativity and celebration around Walt Whitman. My friend and mentor Greg Trupiano, a Brooklyn native and force of nature around all things Whitman, died in the middle of February, 2020. None of my Whitman projects would have happened without Greg’s extraordinary generosity and unwavering support over the course of the last eight years. I and many, many others will miss him. Thank you, Greg.
Brooklyn poets Jason Koo and Brad Volger at the annual Whitman “Song of Myself” marathon reading, 2019.
Walt Whitman scholar Greg Trupiano in Fort Greene Park.
Greg Trupiano at Fulton Ferry Landing, walking in the footsteps of Walt Whitman on our Dumbo tour.
Presenting my Whitman project at The Evergreen State College.
Whitman collector Ed Centeno, scholar Karen Karbiener, and author Brian Selznick joined us at Berle's Brooklyn Poetry Shop in Dumbo to send reminders of Whitman’s democracy to our elected officials in D.C.
Whitman mail art destined for the White House: “Thunder on! Stride on! Democracy. Strike with vengeful stroke!”
My pinhole photos at the Center for Book Arts’ Walt Whitman exhibit.