My Harry
December 8–10, 2023
My Harry is a three-day convening of some of Smith’s devoted friends and aficionados, all of whom have championed the unclassifiable artist, filmmaker, musicologist, and collector since his death in 1991. A crucial countercultural figure in twentieth-century America, Smith’s peculiar legacy has long been obscured by the vastness of his endeavors, the scarcity of his surviving work, and his own purposefully laid misdirections.
This mini-festival celebrates Smith’s eclectic life and serpentine pursuits with a series of talks, conversations, listening sessions, screenings, games, and live music. The presenters delve into Smith’s encyclopedic and esoteric interests which include the occult, paper airplanes, string figures, animation, field recordings, folk music, and so much more.
The program includes contributions from: Carol Bove, Ali Dineen, Bradley Eros, Raymond Foye, April & Lance Ledbetter, James Inoli Murphy, Rani Singh, Peter Stampfel, Charles Stein, Anne Waldman, and others.
Events on Saturday, December 9 are for all-ages and include activities for families with kids.
This program is organized by Andrew Lampert, independent curator and co-author of Paper Airplanes: The Collections of Harry Smith Catalogue Raisonné, Volume I and String Figures: The Collections of Harry Smith Catalogue Raisonné, Volume II.
Photographer unknown, Harry Smith at Naropa Institute, Boulder, CO, 1990. Gelatin silver print, 10 × 8 in. (25.4 × 20.3 cm). Harry Smith Papers, Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles; gift of the Harry Smith Archives
Events
My Harry: Magick and Mysticism
Dec 8, 2023
Magick and Mysticism kicks off a three-day gathering to celebrate Harry Smith. This evening is devoted to talks and conversations about Smith’s interest in and explorations of spiritual and occult practices alongside listening sessions and screenings.
My Harry: Stories, Songs, and Strings
Dec 9, 2023
Visitors of all ages are invited to a day of musical performances, games, interactive workshops, and storytelling. This includes a stop motion animation studio, paper airplane workshop, singing circle, and more.
My Harry: Affinities
Dec 10, 2023
Join us for talks, conversations, listening sessions, and screenings celebrating Harry Smith. Contributors include Dust-to-Digital, Raymond Foye, and Anne Waldman.
Become a Member
Whitney Members receive special access all year. Become a member to enjoy all My Harry events and make a complimentary reservation for My Harry: Magick and Mysticism.