AS noted this is actually NEXT WEEK but the exhibit opens tonight!
The expanded edition of Richard McGuire’s seminal comics story “Here” is out in a few month’s from Random House, but in the meantime, there’s an exhibit of his art for the book at the New York Public Library, NEXT WEEK a talk::
In Richard McGuire’s graphic narrative Here, one corner of a living room in New Jersey, becomes the point of intersection among events from the past and future. McGuire will be joined in conversation by Michael Benson, author of Cosmigraphics: Picturing Space Through Time, and Matt Knutzen, the Geospatial Librarian at The New York Public Library. The program is co-organized with the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at The New York Public Library.
The exhibition From Here to Here: Richard McGuire Makes a Book will be open at 5:30 p.m. for lecture attendees.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Sounds pretty mind blowing.
Richard McGuire’s Here is a comics story originally published in RAW Magazine that used the comics form to dizzying effect, jumping from the dawn of time to the end of time using one specific location. It’s been anthologized many times, but but Random House is giving us all the HEre we could want with this fall an expanded 320 page edition of the book.
that promises to be even more dizzying and amazing. he cover was released a little while ago.
McGuire is a multitalented artist and musician whose comics are few but powerful. This just went to the top of the fall reading list.
April 3—Write a poem in which you imagine the world without you. The world could be a much worse place, pretty much the same, or even better. Anyway, it's interesting to contemplate our individual contributions to this planet in ways small and large.
Were I Not Here
By Bill Kirk
Were I not here,
The lawn might be mowed,
The weeds would be whacked and
The bare window sill would already be primed and painted.
Were I not here,
The blown down back fence would be replaced,
The crack in the driveway would be patched and
The front door latch would work and not stick.
Were I not here,
The ivy would not have overtaken the side yard,
There’d be no birds nesting in the attic and
The perilously leaning pine would be long gone.
Were I not here,
The taxes would be done before April 14,
There might be more money for vacations and
There’d be less money needed for life insurance,
But were I not here, there would also be
Fewer cups of coffee at bedside each morning,
Fewer lunches made each work day,
Fewer omelets cooked each Sunday after church,
Fewer miles run for the pure pleasure of it,
Fewer pick-ups after school,
Fewer haircuts at Grandpa’s house,
Fewer children’s rhymes written and read,
Fewer reminders about Scout meetings,
Fewer camping trips with the old man,
Fewer holiday turkeys cooked and carved,
Fewer New Year’s Day black eye peas for good luck and
Fewer kisses goodnight.
So, all things considered,
Consider me here.
If you haven't had a chance to check out the Rhyme of the Month for June on my web site, here it is for your reading pleasure. May your "heres" always be where you want to be and your "theres" be where you are glad you were. Hear! Hear!
"Here And There"
By Bill Kirk
Each one of us is somewhere,
Which could be far or near.
Wherever you may find yourself,
Your where is always "here."
Our "heres" may all be different;
Or, sometimes they're the same.
Remember, where your "here" is now,
Was "there" before you came.
A "here" is quite specific.
It's always in one spot.
So, when you leave your "here" behind,
It's then a "there" you're not.
They say location matters.
I guess they could be right.
For if your "here" is far away,
Then you'd be out of sight.
Although you have but one "here",
I hear there's "theres" to spare.
So, if the "here" you're in gets old,
Just switch your "here" to "there."
McGuire is a truly inspiring artist and speaker! This should be great.