The Poetry Project

Publications > Footnotes > Work from Trick Methods with Rachel James

ART SCHOOL

Silas Jones

PANEL ONE: Caption: "I work at an art school that is very anti-conceptual. It is all about working as the old masters did, 'from life.'" Image: A person sits behind a desk with a sign that says, "please sign in." The person says, "hi! How can I help you?"
PANEL TWO: Caption: "There's a charismatic painting teacher with the same name as me. Image: A tall person stands before the desk. The person behind it says, "Hi Silas." The tall person says, "Hi Silas, what's up?" The tall standing person replies, "Oh nothing much... I've been monomaniacal about painting." The person behind the desk says, "that's awesome."
PANEL THREE Caption: "I was jealous." Image: Close up of the standing person's torso in a button down shirt, their hands are visible. The standing person says, "well... it might be awesome but it's not sustainable." The person seated at the desk asks, "why not?" The standing person replies, "you can't do one thing forever, it doesn't work."
PANEL FOUR Caption: "The following week (Silas teaches once a week)..." Image: A hand sliding a book called "How Artists and Writers Work" across the desk towards the person seated behind it. They say, "gee thanks mister."
PANEL FIVE: Caption: "Everyone at the art school knows I'm in writing school. They all think I'm writing a book." Image: The person sits behind the desk, reading a book. A disembodied speaker says, "Excuse me, I'm...." The person behind the desk says, "be right with you."
PANEL SIX Caption: "But what is a book?" Image: Broken egg.
PANEL SEVEN Caption: "Something you" Image: Watermelon broken in half, red insides.
PANEL EIGHT Caption: "Crack Open?" Image: a fish sliced in half with its skeleton exposed.
PANEL NINE No Caption. Upside image of the person behind the desk's head, split open, brain showing.

Work from Trick Methods with Rachel James