I am very happy to learn more about Muriel Rukeyser. I worked (my first job after college) at the Exploratorium in San Francisco which was founded by physicist Frank Oppenheimer. Frank and Muriel were lifelong friends. And Frank was quick to bring musicians, artists, poets and writers as artists in residence into his science museum, (which was free at that time, to the public). Rukeyser wrote that "the universe is made of stories, not of atoms," a sentiment that resonated with Oppenheimer's philosophy on science and human perception.
Thanks Leni! She seemed to know quite a lot of people - I was also surprised to come across that she introduced Leonard Bernstein to Aaron Copland. And there is a plaque with that quote you mention near the NYPL - another Book Work reader sent it to me just before I saw your message. I am eager to see Jon's film on the Exploratorium from 1974.
I read Savage Coast a few years ago, loved that fierce and gorgeous book. I've been meaning to read more Muriel, this is a great list!
I am very happy to learn more about Muriel Rukeyser. I worked (my first job after college) at the Exploratorium in San Francisco which was founded by physicist Frank Oppenheimer. Frank and Muriel were lifelong friends. And Frank was quick to bring musicians, artists, poets and writers as artists in residence into his science museum, (which was free at that time, to the public). Rukeyser wrote that "the universe is made of stories, not of atoms," a sentiment that resonated with Oppenheimer's philosophy on science and human perception.
Thanks Leni! She seemed to know quite a lot of people - I was also surprised to come across that she introduced Leonard Bernstein to Aaron Copland. And there is a plaque with that quote you mention near the NYPL - another Book Work reader sent it to me just before I saw your message. I am eager to see Jon's film on the Exploratorium from 1974.