Talking about Collaborations: Personal Memories and a Critical Study of Robert Creeley’s Collaboration with Artist Arthur Okamura

Abstract

This article analyzes the collaborative relationship between poet Robert Creeley and artist Arthur Okamura, focusing on their joint work 1°2°3°4°5°6°7°8°9°0°. The paper explores how Creeley's approach to collaboration was deeply rooted in his desire to create shared spaces for dialogue and his sensitivity to the rhythm and movement inherent in visual art. Drawing from personal memories of meeting Creeley and theoretical frameworks by philosophers like Henry Maldinay, the article argues that Creeley's collaborations were driven by a quest for recognition and transformation of forms. The study examines how 1°2°3°4°5°6°7°8°9°0°, composed of Okamura’s drawings and Creeley’s poem 'People,' exemplifies this dynamic interplay between text and image. This work investigates the significance of rhythm in Creeley's life and art, demonstrating how his collaborative practice challenged static perceptions and embraced fluidity.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)