sculptor, collector, filmmaker Joseph Cornell sculptor, collector, filmmaker

Biography Born 1903 in Nyack, New York to mother, father, two sisters and brother Father died of Leukemia when Cornell was only thirteen Cornell was known to be extremely shy and insecure, and seemed to be overly fearful of many things. He once confided in his sister Elizabeth how frightened he was at the concept of infinity. Considered a recluse, preferred to spend his time alone or with his family. Moved to Queens, NY in 1929, with his family and lived there for the rest of his life Educated himself by reading books and looking at other art, no formal art education Began creating collages, moved to create shadow boxes, which he would become famous for Worked along many of Surrealist artists, Colorfield painters, filmmakers and performance artists in NYC His legacy continues today: credited for inspiring art movements like Pop Art, and the concept of Installation Art

Inspired by Marcel Duchamp's "readymades," Cornell elevated the found object to the center of his artistic focus and introduced this new idea of artist as collector and archivist.

Often purchased on Cornell's frequent visits to New York secondhand shops or cut out from magazines, these objects comprise the primary materials of his art

“Shadow boxes become poetic theater or settings wherein are metamorphosed the elements of a childhood pastime”- Joseph Cornell

References: http://www.josephcornellbox.com http://www.theartstory.org/artist-cornell-joseph.htm http://www.moma.org/collection/artists/1247

Your own shadow box You will use your poems to inspire a Shadow Box, a “poetic theatre” to capture what it feels like to be a refugee Materials: Collage, found objects, oil pastels and Encaustics Today: Fold boxes and brainstorm objects/materials to bring in for collage Feb 23: Collage collected materials onto/into box Feb 24: Add Encaustics to finish the box and add found objects.

What kinds of things can go in a collage? Photos Maps Text- poems, old book pages, letters (typed, written or found) Drawings Found Objects Evidence, 2011. Susan McCarrel

When collecting, revert back to your poem and think: What will capture the feeling of your poem? Who is this person? Their interests, curiosities, beliefs? What did they bring with them? What do they miss? What do they want to remember? How can objects and images together convey a poetic message?