After a recent visit to the Pollack-Krasner House in Springs, a tiny hamlet north of East Hampton, I was prompted to rent a copy of the film, Pollock, to see more of this interesting history. Set in a beautiful area, the property overlooks Accobanac Creek and houses the old house once occupied by Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock in the 1940's. Both artists earned reputations as outstanding abstract painters. The house remains as Lee Krasner left it in 1984, with original works by both artists on display. The old barn, converted into a studio, contains evidence of both artists' work. The barn had been renovated to allow Pollock the space and freedom he needed to spread his canvases on the floor. He worked from all sides, dripping, flinging, squirting paint, sand and real objects onto his canvas. The floor remains as he left it, a living evidence of his process, and the walls contain the evidence of Krasner's painting style. The knowledgeable staff of the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, owned by the Stony Brook Foundation (a non-profit affiliate of the University of NY at Stony Brook) have great stories to tell and we spent our afternoon listening and looking, and getting a feel for the serenity of the setting. The story of the artists' lives is fascinating and we enjoyed viewing the film because of what we learned on our tour. In addition to the interpretive tour, the Center offers changing exhibitions, lectures, panel discussions, school tours and other educational activities. Open May through October for guided tours by appointment, you can contact the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center at 631-324-4929 or visit the website at www.pkhouse.org.
