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SPRING 2001

Marjorie Devon, director of Tamarind Institute, believes in synchronicity, especially after the success of the institute’s first book project, a collaboration between poet Robert Creeley and contemporary American artist Jim Dine.

An exhibition of Creeley collaborations with artists on display in 1999 at the New York Public Library impressed Devon with its “wonderful marriage of text and image.” Shortly thereafter, Creeley gave a reading in Albuquerque, where in 1960 he earned a master’s degree from UNM. Devon then discovered that the New York show was coming to the University Art Museum this spring–it runs through June 3.

Recalling a staff member’s interest in a book project, Devon figured the time was right and Creeley was the perfect person to provide the words. “We asked Creeley, one of the most important poets of our time, to write a piece for an artist of his choosing,” says Devon. “He chose Dine, who agreed right away.” Friends since 1966, Creeley and Dine have collaborated on projects in the past.
In August 2000, Creeley completed Pictures, a ten-part poem written in his signature compressed style. During a three-day stay at Tamarind last November, Dine reacted with eleven lithographs of tools, such as a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.	Artist Jim Dine reviews proofs of Pictures, a book created in collaboration with poet Robert Creeley. Photo Credit: Linda Tyler.
Despite her initial concept of a short poem and one image, Devon supported the greater vision, which resulted in a small-scale bound book (9 by 11 inches) with the lithographs and hand-printed letterpress text. “Dine did not intend there to be a direct relationship between the words and the images,” explains Devon. “Rather, he used the poem as an inspiration for his own interpretation.” Once the project was completed, Dine wasn’t finished. “He was so pleased with the eleven images, he wanted to do one more,” says Devon. Pictures was released this spring. Tamarind Institute will sell a limited number of books for $2,500 each. Revenue from the sales will help support the institute’s education programs.

Spring 2001 Newsletter Topics
Accomplishments & News from the Departments Art & Art History Bainbridge Bunting Memorial Slide Library Media Arts Music Tamarind Institute Theatre & Dance	Chris Shultis: Regents' Professor Distinguished Alumni Dedication to Kurt Frederick Outstanding Recent Graduate
Tom Dodson, Dean, Retires Publications Home Page	The Dean's Circle Alumni and Friends

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