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Archive for Bronze Medals: USS Enterprise, Whimbrel and Petrel, and Midway 1 / Finlay, Ian Hamilton; Andrew, John., 1973

 Item
Identifier: CC-12771-13036

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Scope and Contents

In September 1973, Finlay writes to Andrews about making picture poems as bronze medals. He describes and includes a small sketch of the USS Enterprise, an American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a Greek dome. Finlay's plays off this ultra modern ship with a classic Greek theme, the basic elements of the Universe, Earth, Air, Fire, Water. He conceptualizes the Universe as an Enterprise, the aircraft carrier as Earth sailing in Water which launches Fire-carrying planes into the Air. Finlay continues with an explanation of Whimbrel and Petrel, a one word Elegy to these old sailing barges put out of work with the internal combustion engine - Petrol. The 3rd Medal is based on the one word poem, Through a Dark Wood - Midway. Andrew provides sketches in October 1973 but in a subsequent letter from Finlay that is contained in the Torso Aircraft Carrier Archive, Finlay expressed disappointment with them. He drops this project with John Andrew but continues it to fruition with Michael Harvey. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Dates

  • Creation: 1973

Creator

Extent

0 See container summary (1 Finlay letter (typed, ink, handwriting, 5pp) + Andrew letter (typed, p) + Finlay notes (ink, drawing, handwriting, 3pp) + 2 Andrew drawings (graphite, handwriting)) ; 33 x 21 cm

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Physical Location

file cab finlay

Custodial History

The Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry, on loan from Ruth and Marvin A. Sackner and the Sackner Family Partnership.

General

Published: Dunsyre Lanark, Scotland : Wild Hawthorn Press. Signed by: Ian (l.l.- letter); Ian (l.l.- notes). Nationality of creator: Scottish and British. General: About 1 total copies. General: Added by: CONV; updated by: MARVIN.

Repository Details

Part of the The Ruth and Marvin Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry Repository

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