Post by TheWallsScreamedPoetry on Jan 13, 2011 10:07:44 GMT
Artist Thomas E. Breitenbach a long-time fan of Morrison, had written to him with an offer to paint a Doors album cover.
The Jim Morrison Triptych
In the fall of 1970, while at college, Breitenbach sent pictures of his surrealistic artwork to Jim Morrison and offered to paint an album cover. Morrison accepted and sent Breitenbach his ideas for the painting, along with two autographed, private editions of his poetry. Morrison liked the finished product and asked if he could use it on an album of poetry he was working on. This was his An American Prayer album published seven years after Morrison's death. Unfortunately, the album’s producers were not aware of Morrison’s intention to use the painting. The existence of this lost painting collaboration came to light decades later, when the artist posted it on his website.
Morrison sent the artist these suggestions for the painting, "Try doing a triptych. The left panel depicting a radiant moon-lit beach and an endless stream of young naked couples running silently along the water's edge. On the beach, a tiny infant grins at the universe and around its crib stand several ancient, old people ... The center, a modern city or metropolis of the future at noon, insane with activity ... The last panel, a view through a car windshield at night on a long straight desert highway."
Kathy Lisciandro who was The Doors secretary at the time typed up Morrison's reply which is seen below.
The Doors
10/9/70
Thomas E. Breitenbach
xxx Planner Tower
Univ. of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Dear Mr. Breitenbach:
Thank you for your interest. Maybe we can do something.
Try doing a triptych. The left panel depicting a radiant moon-lit beach and an endless stream of young naked couples running silently along the water's edge. On the beach, a tiny infant grins at the universe and around its crib stand several ancient, old people.
The center -- a modern city or metropolis of the future at noon, insane with activity.
The last panel -- a view through a car windshield at night on a long straight desert highway.
If you come up with something related to these themes within the next four or five months I'm sure I can use it.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
(Signed)
James Morrison
JM/kl
The Jim Morrison Triptych
In the fall of 1970, while at college, Breitenbach sent pictures of his surrealistic artwork to Jim Morrison and offered to paint an album cover. Morrison accepted and sent Breitenbach his ideas for the painting, along with two autographed, private editions of his poetry. Morrison liked the finished product and asked if he could use it on an album of poetry he was working on. This was his An American Prayer album published seven years after Morrison's death. Unfortunately, the album’s producers were not aware of Morrison’s intention to use the painting. The existence of this lost painting collaboration came to light decades later, when the artist posted it on his website.
Morrison sent the artist these suggestions for the painting, "Try doing a triptych. The left panel depicting a radiant moon-lit beach and an endless stream of young naked couples running silently along the water's edge. On the beach, a tiny infant grins at the universe and around its crib stand several ancient, old people ... The center, a modern city or metropolis of the future at noon, insane with activity ... The last panel, a view through a car windshield at night on a long straight desert highway."
Kathy Lisciandro who was The Doors secretary at the time typed up Morrison's reply which is seen below.
The Doors
10/9/70
Thomas E. Breitenbach
xxx Planner Tower
Univ. of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Dear Mr. Breitenbach:
Thank you for your interest. Maybe we can do something.
Try doing a triptych. The left panel depicting a radiant moon-lit beach and an endless stream of young naked couples running silently along the water's edge. On the beach, a tiny infant grins at the universe and around its crib stand several ancient, old people.
The center -- a modern city or metropolis of the future at noon, insane with activity.
The last panel -- a view through a car windshield at night on a long straight desert highway.
If you come up with something related to these themes within the next four or five months I'm sure I can use it.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
(Signed)
James Morrison
JM/kl
