JOHN MORSE, WORLD RENOWNED ARTIST, PRESENTS MESMERIZING PROGRAM

by Maren Mitchell

The artist and writer John Morse was featured July 13^th at “Writers’ Night Out” in Young Harris, GA.  Of Atlanta; New York City; and Barcelona, Spain, Morse offered the spell-bound audience a program to be savored in memory. The audience, comprised of writers and artists from surrounding counties in Georgia and North Carolina, responded overwhelmingly to Morse’s super-energetic and energizing presentation and talents. 

 

Using Power Point, Morse covered his decades’ long work to find new aspects of, and uses for art by new means. Beginning with stunning collage portraits made with “trash” or “found  paper” of Andy Warhol, Geronimo, and Lincoln, he transitioned into the sculptures he has created to explore the area between the second dimension and third dimensions.

Through several means Morse has tackled the problem of poetry being noticed and cared about. A roadmap to Los Angeles is a poem, and business cards that look like business cards, but are poems, are two routes that he has utilized.

Another innovative path Morse created, gaining attention for poetry, was decorating the streets of Atlanta with his “Roadside Haiku,” which mimicked urban advertising, yet was poetry in the form of traditional haiku.  With 10 designs in 500 locations, the project soon became known in Atlanta and world-wide. News of “Roadside Haiku” spread through magazines such as The New Yorker to The Guardian of the UK.  Controversial at one point, the “signs” grew into items to be desired. All were stolen!

In 2011 the New York City Department of Transportation hired Morse to complete 12 “Curbside Haiku” to be placed in over 200 locations throughout the five boroughs of the city. Comprised of distinctive and informative graphics with equally effective haiku, providing safety reminders to pedestrians and cyclists, the project was featured in the New York Times, on National Public Radio, and with the BBC across the world.

For his “Curbside Haiku” John was the recipient of the 2012 Brendan Gill Prize from the New York Municipal Art Society.

We are fortunate to have received such generous and energetic creativity and thought in our small mountain town. Thank you, John Morse!

Website of John Morse:

www.stardogstudio.com

Writers’ Night Out takes place on the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. After the featured reader, there is an open microphone for writers to share their own poetry or prose. The event is at Brother’s Willow Ranch Restaurant, 6223 Hwy 76 West across from Brasstown Valley Resort.

For information on Writers’ Night Out:

Karen Holmes (404) 316-8466