John Ciardi, Visiting Artist Lecture 1961

John Ciardi gives a lecture and a poetry reading at Skowhegan talking about his work as a poet, translator, and etymologist. He uses the structure, rhyme, and pace of poetry as an infrastructure to help guide the students on how they can learn longevity as artists in whatever medium they choose to practice with. Ciardi explains how they must work with all material in order to not waste it, and references many poets throughout his lecture. Ciardi believes that aesthetic freedom is easy to harness, and reminds the students that nothing in a good work takes place by accident, but instead they should aspire to create controlled accidents. Ciardi also warns the students never to chat as artists, but instead build an honest formula for themselves. This formula will help the students make stronger art that rises above what they are trying to say, transcending the original subject matter.