Walasse Ting: Bright as Neon Light!

Well, it seems each day I discover a poet who's new to me; I'm so grateful for the commitment of doing these daily posts. Happy to have discovered this Chinese-American Poet-Artist, born in Shanghai in 1929; moving to Paris in 1946, then New York, and Amsterdam. Member of avant garde group CoBrA - with its mix of Abstract Expressionists & Pop Art. 

I love his Pidgin English style of writing verse - his wild hot colours; his wild hot imagination. Impossible to use plain black text for such a vibrantly alive character. 

[Introduction to Fresh Air School (1972-1973), a collaboration with Joan MItchell, Sam Francis and Ting, published by Carnegie Institute Museum – From: https://www.thebookbeat.com/backroom/2014/02/09/walasse-ting-one-cent-life-2/]

WALASSE TING by WALASSE TING

Born in Shanghai, China, 1929
4 years old paint in sidewalk. 10 years
old draw on wall. 20 years old left
China to traveling after reading the
book of I-Ching. In 1953 arrived in
Paris. Six months later meet Pierre
Alechinsky. Six months later meet
Asger Jorn. Six months later meet
Karel Appel; drink coffee with them
in Paris-Café. Working all kinds of job
to making a very simple living. Living
in a six inches window room. Paint
there, eat there. In 1963 arrived in
New York City. Six months later meet
Sam Francis. Six months later meet
Tom Wesselmann. Six months later
meet Claes Oldenburg. Eat hot & sour
soup with them in Chinese restaurant.
Not working any kinds job. Sleeping

all day living in a sixty feet window

loft. Eat there, paint there. Self-
taught. Individual. Not belong to any
group.

'I Cannot Drive Away Melancholy'

Most known for collaborative masterpiece: '1 Cent Life', 1964, which began with his writing 61 poems in 1961: 'in a small black room like coffin, inside room only salami, whisky, sexy photographs from Times Square. No Bible, no cookbook, no telephone book, no check-book. Two short fingers, typing talking about World & Garbage, You & I, Egg & Earth.'

The book features 64 original lithographs by 28 different artists, including: Roy Lichtenstein; Jim Dine;  Robert Rauschenberg; Andy Warhol,  Claes Oldenburg, and Joan Mitchell among others.  

He wanted it to be 'as exciting as Times Square, color bright as neon light, hot as espresso'.

Today marks the anniversary of his death in 2010. He had suffered such a severe brain hemorrhage in 2002 that he was clinically 'brain dead'. It's just astounding that he survived to celebrate his 80th birthday, and even move from Amsterdam to New York where he finally died. I'm so pleased to have 'met' him all these years later, and be able to celebrate his life & art here in this tribute post. Thank you for your verve, Walasse Ting! And sense of fun.

WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS

NOBODY SMALL

YOU LAUNCH STEAMSHIP

I PUSH LOCOMOTIVE

YOU TALK TO MOUNTAINS

I LISTEN TO SEA

YOU EMBRACE RAINBOW

I KISS RAIN

YOU COVER SUN WITH YOUR FINGER

I MOVE MOON IN MY EYES

THOUSAND FLOWERS

BLOSSOM IN OUR BIG HEART

THOUSAND YEARS

Walasse Ting

[From: https://www.thebookbeat.com/backroom/2014/02/09/walasse-ting-one-cent-life-2/ ]