Having a Coke with Frank O'Hara

Frank O'Hara is best known for his poetry, but in this Art Cooking we explore his life as a poet as well as an art curator at MoMA. Subscribe to Ours Poetica to receive regular doses of fresh poetry three times a week!: / ourspoetica .
#frankohara #poetry #artcooking
Thanks to Kaveh Akbar (kavehakbar.com) and Paige Lewis (paigelewispoetry.com) for joining us and lending their reading talents. Explore more of O'Hara's work!: bit.ly/2SKIJvZ
Thanks to our Grandmasters of the Arts Tyler Calvert-Thompson, Divide by Zero Collection, David Golden, and Ernest Wolfe, and all of our patrons, especially Rich Clarey, Iain Eudaily, Tom Forwood, Patrick Hanna, Andrew Huynh, Eve Leonard, David Moore, Jane Quale, Gabriel Civita Ramirez, Constance Urist, Nicholas Xu, and Roberta Zaphiriou. To support our channel, visit: / artassignment .
Subscribe for new episodes of The Art Assignment every other Thursday, and follow us elsewhere for the full Art Assignment experience:
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[@theartassignment]

Two things: 1) I'm so happy to be sharing this episode with you all. We shot it back in November (hence the 2019 reference at the end), and had a heck of a time sorting all of the permissions. But here it is! And I can't help but think that it was always meant to be out just in time for Valentine's Day. 2) The artwork at 13:45 is very clearly not Rembrandt's "The Polish Rider," as even O'Hara tells you what you're looking at. It is the 1912 painting Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2) by Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968). Which you can go see at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, along with a number of other excellent works by Duchamp. Sorry for the error.

[@derpatellapie502]

"and my husband, john green" wait, what-

[@mariewikiwaka3851]

You’re either new here or not very familiar with Complexly media company.

[@littlellama7753]

Haha, yeah

[@cloudgoose]

lmao same! I knew he was involved somehow just didn’t realize they were married!

[@CatherineSlye]

!!!

[@OSCARMlLDE]

@@mariewikiwaka3851 this series is the only thing I watch, ma'am

[@Ngpicl]

"I look at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world except possibly for the Polish Rider occasionally and anyway it’s in the Frick which thank heavens you haven’t gone to yet so we can go together for the first time" So innocent but so sincere and sweet :)

[@EasterWitch]

I looked down in the comments and saw people being surprised Sarah were married to john Green. I guess it's been a few years since she was "The Yeti" in the background of Johns videos.

[@lorenabpv]

some people didn't watch the blenderized happy meal video and it shows lol

[@ZebrinhahDesrosiers]

I sometimes get really overwhelmed by my feelings for my girlfriend. Like the way her fingers get a little crooked when she's using the gear stick is the single most important thing in the world, or how i wish i could freeze the moment when she drinks her favourite coffee and just stare at it forever. When everyone says that after the honeymoon phase things lose their sparkle and I'm still here as sparkly now as on our first kiss five years ago, it makes me feel anormal. Reading these poems made me feel normal.

[@saladman420]

Awww this is really sweet

[@Tomanna]

My heart omg

[@R-Ash28]

Didn’t know you were married to John green lol cool couple

[@morganw2492]

John has made some videos with her, and they do seem like a pretty great couple!

[@benjaminshulman2407]

I feel like they must have the best conversations, I would definitely listen to a podcast of them just talking about things they like

[@sleepytimetaquito]

Omg you’re the luck lady!!

[@clown-cult96]

When Frank read that poem, I held my breath. You can tell he loved the man that he wrote it for.

[@KannikCat]

Oh wow... The Art Assignment AND Ours Poetica, together, in a foodie episode? Heaven! :D So much great appreciation and so much fun. Love it!

[@bellasgonemissing9705]

++

[@bissa6889]

I can't say enough how much better this channel being so well done and freely accessible makes my life. Whoever reads this: I hope you have a splendid day.

[@bissa6889]

Frank is how I fell in love with poetry! I always chose his poems for spoken word assignments in school. He inspired me as a gay poet and art lover.

[@Will-nr5ow]

Great!

[@cabinfeverremedy5636]

Vincent Warren was my dance history teacher and he was the nicest person ever. He was also such an interesting man. It moved me to see his picture pop into this video, I can't help smiling when I think of him. I have no trouble imagining him being someone's muse.

[@khulanerdene5985]

I was today years old when I realized Sarah was married to John Green. Damn, the Green fam really be birthing many nerds. Thank u so much!

[@gruforevs]

art cooking are my favourite episodes, thanks, it feels like forever since I found them and binged them all

[@bessyxyz]

I've never heard of O'Hara before but I instantly loved these poems! It reminds me so much of a collection of tanka, written by Japanese poet Machi Tawara in the 80s, called Salad Anniversary.

[@lanternheart]

I hadn't read any O'Hara before this, but he did make my morning a little more sacred through this, as I just sat listening to him read that last poem and staring at the sun while finishing a bagel. What a good moment.

[@muchadoaboutliz]

Now I'm really intrigued to learn more about Frank O'Hara. I'm not much of a poetry person, but hearing this little bit about his life makes me curious, especially knowing what it was like being part of the LGBTQ community during that time in New York. Also, the timing of this video and having Paige Lewis in it is impeccable because apparently, she was at my alma mater UIndy yesterday! My guess is she must live in Indianapolis since she helps curate Ours Poetica

[@theartassignment]

I went to see Paige read at UIndy this week, in fact. Paige teaches at Purdue right now, as does Kaveh Akbar. And glad you're intrigued to learn more about O'Hara! For what it's worth, I wasn't much of a poetry person a few years ago and have made a full conversion.

[@CarrienotScary]

I am one of those people who, over the years, would proclaim no love for poetry or musicals. With age, I have noticed amendments to this statement where I can now list many poems and musicals that I have enjoyed. Maybe some wisdom has been acquired.

[@muchadoaboutliz]

@@theartassignment Wow I didn't know that Purdue had much of a literature, let alone a poetry program! My sister goes to school there right now, I'll have to ask her about it next time I see her. I guess having grown up in the state I got too used to thinking of it as the tech and science school while IU was the arts school.

[@TsubasaDreams]

OMG yes! As a Frank O'hara stan and lover of Art Cooking, I never clicked on a video faster

[@mosaicruby]

Never heard of him! But I’m so happy I got to get a glimpse of who he was, will definitely research him more

[@lorenabpv]

ours poetica is my current favorite internet thing. it also lead me to the poetry foundation's podcasts which are great and both things enhance my online time a lot

[@cmoran9103]

"which is why I'm telling you about it" I tear up every time

[@sriontimaitra6804]

I remember you replying to my comment in 2019 promising this episode and my GOD was it worth the wait. Thank you for everything you do with art and the remembrance and celebration of it - 'Having a Coke with you' was a poem I first read at university at a time when I was considering never writing again because every emotion felt duplicated or contrived or written better by someone older and more respectable. This poem, and your interpretation of it through the reading and the images and the actual drinking with friends made me remember that pristine 'fuck it' feeling of knowing that joy doesn't have to be contingent upon others' presentations of it - and neither does art. I look forward to so many, many more of these!

[@marinalundell1507]

Love how you and John are wearing similar tops. Great video! Now I’m starving...

[@theartassignment]

It's the winter uniform ;)

[@Jo-rm7eq]

.....huh. i've never gotten poetry, ever. i saw this and watched it on a whim and now here i am, crying.

[@cyborgcuttlefish6326]

I watch these videos sometimes while I'm on my phone, and when I heard "my husband john green" I immediately whipped my head to the screen and just needed a sec to process that

[@rthmjohn]

Thank you all for creating this treasure of a piece. Frank remains, to this day, one of my all-time favorites. Bless you!

[@comtrariopereira]

Dear Sarah, at 13:45 it's the Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 by Duchamp, not Rembrandt. Amazing video ❤️

[@fiddygd8304]

One of my favourite poets, I first read him in a collected book, and his poem about The Sun on Fire island will forever be one of my favourites. I hardly ever see any Frank love, so this video was much appreciated.

[@benjaminplatten275]

Well I’m openly weeping on my bed at ten am on a Monday morning in February because of the beauty and love Frank was able to capture in his poems.

[@Beryllahawk]

I'm weeping. And I'm going to stop telling myself my poetry is of no interest to anyone.

[@MsDafiM]

This crossover of two of my absolute favorite channels making a video in one of my favorite series is somehow still bigger than the sum of its parts, which is a testament to how great the people who create it are at what they do.

[@vanesafierro1022]

you guys are seriously the best for these vids

[@heysquimble]

Her voice is so soothing to hear 💞

[@echoinsahara]

Ok I’m sold. I subscribed to the poem channel.

[@abluemug]

THIS WAS HEARTWARMINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND INSIGHTFUL. Thank you for introducing me to Frank O’Hara.

[@SG-ss3nr]

my absolute favorite poet! thank you for covering his wonderful life and works!

[@kaleidoscopicepic14]

These poems, and the last one especially, reminded me of Richard Siken's Crush - I'll have to check out more of O'Hara's work! (and get my copy of Crush back from the friend I lent it to...)

[@GregoryLuce]

A beautiful tribute to a great poet! Many thanks.

[@JuliaSpeaksWithWords]

I just cried listening to Share a Coke so thanks for the catharsis.

[@Kaya_Chamanara64]

Love these artcooking videos, thank you for the hard work - not only entertaining folks, but also inspiring!

[@adelinerivero]

O’Hara has been one of (if not my) favorite poet of all time. He pulled me in from a very early age and as pretentious as it sounds, gave me the permission to experiment with poetry

[@rahmadaniam6497]

This is my favorite Art Assignment video, I keep coming back to it

[@kasiadudziak5617]

I've found this channel at the beginning of 2022 fighting my own art blockade. I just love it so much I learned a lot, and I am hoping You'll be back one day. Thank You for what you did so far

[@merelymayhem]

that was such a beautiful video, i had never heard of frank o´hara before and now i´ve immediately fallen in love with his poetry! the art assignment is one of my favorite youtube channels for exactly this type of videos

[@mahmoudahmedshalabi]

I absolutely adore the entire concept of this video! Not only it's concept but the actual video was really enjoyable from start to finish. Quickly becoming obsessed with this youtube channel!

[@ojiverdeconfleco]

LOVED this. Sharing a meal, even through paper or video, is so intimately human. Cheers to art!

[@xingmei818]

I love this. I've recently been more interested in poetry published recently because there are too many to focus on all at once and ours poetica has been such a big help to me to finding new poetry. Thank you for the video.

[@gavinyates9189]

I absolutely love everything you say and do, you put everything together to make sense of it all almost as a poet the beauty you bring forth you show it and you know it, keep up the good work, please. Thank you, sincerely Gavin.

[@harshalagupte7542]

This is so so beautiful. Blessed my feed on a lazy Friday afternoon at work.

[@soundaryavenkataraman9471]

Thank you so much for this video! It was so inspiring and had a meditative quality. I am not so much of reading poetry person, but after this video, I think I am going to start reading them more!

[@conbiniii]

These videos are so beautifully crafted and full of interesting facts. I can tell you all enjoy what you do and it makes the videos that much more enjoyable. After watching a couple videos I decided to become a patron! Thank you all so much for this content. ✨

[@TTCandlevibe]

Yessssss a New episode.

[@serefina666]

Yes! I love this series!

[@wishiwaslizbennet924]

Omigosh I ADORE O'Hara!💞💞💞💞

[@citrine5140]

heck yes, more art cooking!

[@KWolf2013]

I watched this while eating peanut butter soldiers, a breakfast my mom used to make for me as a kid and I haven't had for nearly a decade. These poems and this video are such a beautiful intersection of love and small habits which ground us in the days we spend with ourselves and the people we care about.

[@cloudgoose]

this video was a poem and I am so thankful for every second of it.

[@aidanquinlan3446]

I was just watching earlier art cooking videos, and then I see this! Great video!

[@qotice7603]

ANKSGAKSBJWJ I KNEW JOHN GREEN HAD BEEN FEATURED ON THIS CHANNEL BUT I HAD NO CLUE HE WAS HER HUSBAND

[@xingmei818]

I think that's wonderful. They don't shout it out to the heavens but they seem to really love each other.

[@lavender_evie]

Go watch some older vlogbrothers videos or listen to the dear hank and john episodes sarah appears on

[@yrcanlitprof1144]

This is a wonderful video. Thanks.

[@natashamaio]

What a right quality video! Thank you for posting.

[@artnaturally203]

This is beautiful. Thank you, Sarah.

[@imogenmarooney1233]

Truly lovely

[@DonovanPresents]

I love the voice reading of O'Hara's poems

[@rajsingharora26]

beautiful.

[@davetrack2950]

This made me smile for its duration. Thank you. My face hurts.

[@benjaminrhodes303]

this was so lovely!

[@ShiftyQuail]

This was so wonderfully eclectic.

[@annabelle42688]

I need more Art and cooking videos in my life.

[@theuncommonviewer]

I looooved this vid. What a wonderful way of reading poetry he had.

[@davidmassey9589]

I’ve watched this several times now, spanning a fair amount of time. I’ve read a fair amount of poetry in that time, too. So, I am compelled to tell you how I feel: you make Frank O’Hara better than the pages of my books. Poetry is for the ear, more than the eye (said someone, maybe Geof Hewitt); it works better with what you’ve done; you’ve tricked me into having the poem for both eyes and ears.

[@qmjones]

I remember hearing about this episode coming out when Sarah and John came and Visited Mammoth Cave National Park. I am very excited and happy to have seen this video come out 😀

[@randomtinypotatocried]

This is very relaxing to watch.

[@mikeealexis6652]

:-) I needed this today :-)

[@erikcarlsen]

I met Kaveh when he did a reading at my university. Pleasure to be reminded of him this morning. Will go read Calling a Wolf a Wolf again and think about graduate school now.

[@hooraayy]

miss this series so much :(

[@pantelistiliakos5873]

I love this channel!!

[@mosaicruby]

Awesome videos! Keep it up it’s refreshing when I get recommendations for you guys, actually retaining information after watching a KZbin video? Subscribed!

[@yokyu2lea]

Lovely tribute! I got hungry dears... Keep it up!

[@heatherr9959]

I wrote a parody of “Having a Coke…” for one of my close friends when she was about to get married to her fiance. I was her maid of honor at a Doctor Who-themed wedding. Having a Coke with You is even more fun than going to Disneyland, the Las Vegas Strip, New York City, the surface of the moon, the last day of the universe or being totally exhausted from an all night shift at a gas station when your smile walks through the door and I can’t remember my own name partly because in your blue bowtie you are the beginning and the end of the universe partly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for Twitter partly because of the curtains hanging in the doorways partly because of the secrets our eyes share around people and pixels it is hard to believe when I am with you that there can be anything as two-dimensional as pixels as 32-bit, ten-color trying to create life in xenon and neon when in the warm Arizona sunlight we are breathing back and forth like a diode making light against a flimsy plastic screen. and the games suddenly seem to have no characters at all, just shapes and you suddenly wonder why anyone in the world ever plays them. I look at you and I would rather look at you than all the screens in the world except possibly World of Warcraft and anyway we do that together which thank heavens they create new expansions so we can always challenge each other and the fact that you move so beautifully more or less takes care of the fact that you always win just as at home I never think about the algorithms behind the game play or at a single rehearsal of Mozart or Grieg that used to wow me and what good are all the pieces of music in the world when they never got the right hands to lead them or the right heartbeats to guide them or for that matter that Blizzard never chose the characters as well as I chose the player it seems they were all cheated of a marvelous experience which is not going to be wasted on me which is why I am telling you about it.

[@zainabsalman7041]

God, I can't describe how much I love the Art Cooking series. And it was amazing to have John Green and Kaveh Akbar and Paige Lewis in the video as well! Loved the entire episode! P.S: Also, can't wait to see Sarah on Ours Poetica sometime!

[@emilyli3304]

This is probably the 8th time I've watched this video! It reminds me of a poetry class I took in high school. Will have to reach out to my professor soon!!

[@AmbroseReed]

Thank you for introducing me to Frank O'Hara

[@MrDarthVader98]

yeeees finally O'Hara

[@yesthisisshi]

he was great at reading his poetry!

[@badpedestrian]

wowwwww! so happy you guys did an episode on this. its giving me goosebumps because I've been so inspired by Having a Coke with you. you got to listen to NEW JACKSON - Having A Coke With You - really great.

[@marcigarcia4235]

“Joining me are my husband author John Green.” Can never say the same lady.

[@Marzkep]

You were eating my favorite yogurt, in my favorite way: no mixing. Also, this was a fantastic plug.

[@jodfrut771]

was a nice poem he read

[@martabagnoli1212]

Having started the day facing down exam panic for a test that got cancelled , which merged into an evening punctuated by one delicious meal and a family visit, seeing this video sealed the fact that this day just gets better. I feel like a cat that stole the cream, had a nap, and then sauntered out to stretch luxuriantly on the baking concrete of a summer day. (Really though, thanks for the upload.)

[@jerryrdz716]

Thank you for this video. I’ve been wanting and meaning to suggest an Art Assignment video on the relationship between art and literature, and how both influence and are moved by the other. I know this would be too broad of a subject, but specifically pinpointing to an art/literature movement and expanding and explaining the theoretical complexities between and within them would be sincere satisfaction for viewers (i.e., myself). In fact, I have an even more specific suggestion to make: to make an informative and entertaining video between Cubism and Virginia Woolf’s works. The Waves comes to mind when I think of cubism expressed through and within the world of literature, because of the way that Woolf tells one story through multiple perspectives, simultaneously allowing us into the multiple views of her (or the characters’) world.

[@micherunnett5492]

Thank-you

[@missabowbissa]

i think you just made me like poetry

[@fruitoson4227]

lmao sarah doing johns salad and him helplessly offering up an avocado, goals

[@zentouro]

i don't know how you all do it. but each episode of art cooking is better than the last.

[@theartassignment]

Aww. Thanks, Miriam. They are my favorite to make, so that might explain it.

[@uniqueflowsnake]

First heard having a coke with you on a house track by new jackson called having a coke with you. The music and poem complement each other perfectly.

[@elschalk]

Love this! Quick note - at 3:23, there's a typo - "avacados" instead of "avocados".

[@acmulhern]

Stainless steel straws. I like your style 😉

[@sabahfatema]

Kaveh and Paige!! Aaaa!

[@margaretguillory]

My mother had that cook book.

[@robydy2920]

Oh how I've missed you

[@echojardini]

I'm being driven a bit mad by the way the readers are pausing when there is no punctuation or visual space to indicate a pause. I'm rather rigid when it comes to reading poems and feel they should be read aloud the way they are written on the page. There's no pause when there's no punctuation! That's part of what makes O'Hara's work unique is the particular syntax that he uses! (Also there should be a pause at the end of lines!) Signed, a pedantic poet