Homage to Amelia

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Brooke Rosenblatt

National Poetry Month and the multitude of pithy one-liners we’ve received from our “What is Amelia Thinking” talkback station in the galleries have inspired me to create some free verse poetry. Using submissions from a recent weekend, I have cobbled together 8 entrants for this poetic homage to Amelia van Buren.

Thank you to two anonymous visitors, Steve from DC, Jake from DC, Vera from MD, Jim from MD, Lucy from NJ, Sue from PA, and Zobo from VA for the creativity!

Thomas Eakins, Miss Amelia Van Buren, c. 1891. Oil on canvas, 45 x 32 in. The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC, Acquired 1927

What is Amelia Thinking?
…Did I leave the stove on?
Why are you staring at me, I can own u!
How much longer is this painting going to take?
I really, really! would like to scratch my nose
Why me?
I’m bored.
God, I have to tinkle.
Why am I stuck in this portrait? When will I get OUT!

Found Poetry: Lunar Installation

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Experiment Station

Britton Minor found inspiration in cosmic and “giant, seemingly weightless” installations at the Phillips and responded to our call for found poems, working with words from the Intersections contemporary art series page on our website:

Lunar Installation

Silhouetted planets riff
on the moonlit mood

The perpetual rotation forces spatial
perception above sunrise,
nightfall paying homage to
a weightless architecture

Maintaining balance activates fragmented
organic objects and extends ecliptic practices

The ethereal glow of three-dimensional
spaces filters the monumental skies,
evoking the first outdoor sculpture
inspired by science

~ Britton Minor

National Poetry Month continues through Monday, and we’re still looking to post your found poetry creations. Read more about found poetry, and how to contribute your own, here.

Found Poetry: Drawing on French Techniques

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Sarah Osborne Bender

Frequent commenter Maureen Doalles sprung into action when our call for found poetry went out. She had a poem posted by the following day. Taking her words from this page on our museum’s website, Maureen produced this evocative verse:

Drawing on French Techniques

The impulse gave way
with the barest of means

during the late break
away, the marks a compelling glimpse

into the expressive potential
of intimate rhythms

realized in the fleeting freshness
of bold gestures and interior geometries.

~ Maureen E. Doallas

Read more about found poetry, and how to contribute your own, here.