c. July 5, 1956: Ruth Kligman sleeps with Jackson Pollock in the barn with Lee Krasner in the house. Lee Krasner discovered Ruth and Jackson as they were walking toward the car after they had secretly spent the night together in the barn while Krasner was sleeping in the house. According to Kligman they had been involved in a car accident earlier in the evening on the same night. Jackson had lost control of the car as it swerved around in a perfect circle, like a swivel. Kligman later claimed that she had a premonition after the accident that her and Jackson would die together in a car accident. (RK94) Lee caught them the next morning after they left the barn. Kligman reacted with childish glee. Ruth Kligman: Halfway toward the car we saw Lee on the back porch... Her face distorted with anger, her body shaking. She stared at me, trying to utter something coherent, stuttering and finally screaming at us, calling out, Get that woman off my property before I call the police! ...We ran to the car laughing like two children being scolded by the big bad mother. It was the funniest scene, at her expense; all the way to Sag Harbor we were laughing hysterically. (RK95) July 9, 1956: Jackson Pollock asks Ruth Kligman to move in after Lee Krasner decides to leave for Europe. Ruth Kligman: I didnt hear from him [Pollock] for three days. Then the call came. Lees leaving, shes going to Europe.. When I returned to the house that morning, she was in a hysterical condition, out of control. I tried to talk to her, tell her it was over, but she didnt believe me... She said Either you stop seeing Ruth or Im leaving, so I said go... Shes leaving the day after tomorrow... Ill call you tomorrow. Be ready with your things the day after. Ill let you know where Ill pick you up... (RK96) July 12, 1956: Lee Krasner goes to Europe. Ruth Kligman moved in with Jackson in the Springs for a brief time during Krasners absence. (PP328) Although Pollock talked about getting back to work, he never did. In the meantime Lee was sending postcards and letters from her European trip - It would be wonderful to get a note from you she wrote to Pollock, also telling him that she visited a flea market with John Graham, Van Goghs last painting place in the south of France and planned to continue to visit Venice to stay with Peggy Guggenheim but Guggenheim refused to see her. By the end of July she was back in Paris staying with the painter Paul Jenkins and his wife on the Rue Decrès. (JP247) July 1956: Jackson Pollock and Ruth Kligman attend Clement Greenbergs dinner party. Greenberg was renting a house for the summer in East Hampton. Ruth Kligman: I was so excited about meeting Clem. he was a very famous and influential art critic and writer who was close to Jackson for years. I also knew that Clem was a good friend of Lees. I was nervous about what to wear, and what to say, yet really looking forward to the evening. I wanted Clem to like me... The house was near the town, and we arrived late... I was introduced all around, and their casual attitude toward my presence must have been studied. They were all dressed in blue jeans and with no style. I felt overdressed... It was again as though I were invisible, as though I were talking to myself. I was totally ignored. Jackson did nothing to help me out. He didnt even include me in the conversation. I felt like a piece of furniture. Toward the end of this nightmare, Clem became personal with Jackson and asked him his plans about me and what his intentions were toward his wife. He was really quite abrupt with Jackson. I waited for Jackson to retaliate, waited and waited, but he just sat there taking the blows... Then Clem became brutal. I dont know exactly what the words were, but it was an insult. He was strong and rash. Jackson got up quietly and without a word walked toward the door. Come on, Ruth, were leaving. (RK122-3) Early August, 1956: Jackson Pollock tells Ruth Kligman that Lee Krasner is coming back. Ruth Kligman: He [Jackson Pollock] had the morning mail. I immediately spotted the pale blue airmail stationery. He held the letter in his hand and sat there reading it over and over. Good morning, darling. What can I get you? What is that letter? Its from Lee. Shes been in Venice and Paris and is coming back soon. When? After Labor Day, or whenever I say. Shes waiting for the word from me. (RK150) Tuesday, August 7, 1956: Ruth Kligman tells Jackson Pollock she is going to New York for a few days. Kligman had decided to go to New York after attending another party with Pollock in East Hampton where, once again, she was ignored. Ruth Kligman: We arrived at a rather large, imposing East Hampton house with lots of cars parked all over... He walked in to what seemed like thunderous applause - everyone stood up and cheered... He was surrounded, instantly surrounded. Jackson, Jackson. I was ignored... Women gleefully sat at his feet, on the arm of his chair; rich people patted him on the back, he was soaring... I became black. I was stuck with his despair. I drank... He was the Star, he knew how to move, to get what he wanted. Everyone else was his supporting player. I was so jealous. I wanted that power to command, to control, to lead. I watched him through my glazed eyes. (RK167) She made the decision she needed a short break from Jackson by the Tuesday after the party. According to Ruth, Pollock initially didnt want her to go but she convinced him it would be a good idea. Ruth Kligman: I needed his approval and could not go if he did not approve. My plans were made. I would leave on a Thursday and say I had to see my analyst on Friday and return on Saturday. That would give me two entire days alone in New York... I called a friend when Jackson was in town and asked her if she could put me up a couple of nights. Her answer was yes, and the most important problem was solved. When Jackson came back I told him my plans. I must be in New York on Friday because my analyst has just arrived from Europe and I would like to see him. I just spoke to him on the phone, and he will see me this coming Friday. I talked fast and casual at the same time. (RK171) Jackson was suspicious. Why had Ruth made her plans secretly? He suggested that he drive her to Manhattan on Friday, then wait for her to see her analyst and drive her back to the Springs the same day. She said, no, she wanted to visit her family. She would take the train. (RK171-2) Thursday, August 9, 1956: Ruth Kligman arrives in New York. Jackson took Lee to the train station and saw her off, waiting in his car until the train pulled out. She arrived in Manhattan later that day. Ruth Kligman: I walked toward Fifth Avenue and up. The afternoon was brilliant, everything glowed from the sun. There was a motion to the crowds and an energy that exhilarated me. I felt very calm and in tune with myself. I loved Fifth Avenue, my shops, my favorite hotel in the world, the Plaza. I loved the limousines and the well-dressed women near Bergdorfs, the good-looking me that glanced at me and were going somewhere. I often wondered what kind of lovers these men were, the ones that wear suits and ties in the summertime and have expensive lunches. Were they good lovers underneath their well-cut suits? (RK176) Friday Afternoon August 10, 1956: Ruth Kligman has lunch with Edith Metzger. Twenty-five year old Edith Metzger worked as the receptionist at the beauty parlor that Ruth went to regularly in New York. They had become friends. Ruth Kligman: ... since I was eighteen or so, I had liked the ritual of beauty parlors... I loved getting set and sitting under the dryer reading Vogue or movie magazines and putting mascara on while still under the dryer, because somehow the heat from the dryer made the mascara work better and my eyelashes would be thicker and longer... I became friendly with the receptionist at the beauty parlor. I didnt know but later found out she was the mistress of Nicky, the owner, whom she adored. Her name was Edith. She was about twenty-one or twenty-two, and we got to be friends. She lived somewhere in the Bronx with her mother and her youngest brother. She was rather secretive about herself. All I knew was that she had been born in Germany, and because they were a Jewish intellectual family, they had to leave because of the war... Neither of us had a father. Her father was killed during the war, and I had never lived with mine... She talked about her affair with her boss, which was the reason she kept that job... He was married with two little girls and a very nice, attractive wife... I approved of their relationship [Edith and Nicky]. I encouraged it, and gave her courage to go on when she weakened... (RK65-6) Over lunch Ruth admitted to Edith that she had lied to Jackson about her reasons for coming to New York and asked Edith to come with her when she returned to the Springs the next day to spend the weekend with her and Jackson. Although initially reluctant, Edith finally agreed to go saying she was so anxious to meet Jackson. (RK181) Friday Evening August 10, 1956: Ruth Kligman has a date with a Jewish comedian. The night before she returned to the Springs, Ruth had a date with a Jewish comedian who she already knew. According to Kligman, she arranged the date on the spur of the moment after arriving back in New York. Ruth Kligman: Cheating on Jackson! Away from him for two days and already I had another date... He was a stand-up comedian telling me all the jokes, at the same time he told me how pretty my eyes were... I felt good being with him, it was different from being with Jackson. I felt my own age. This seemed more contemporary, more real. Yet the other was my reality. I needed Jacksons strangeness, that conflict... Jackson was the ultimate mystery, my deep love, my archetypal lover and father. We were historic together. We were the great romantic couple of our time. (RK182-3) August 11, 1956 (Morning): Ruth Kligman returns to the Springs. Ruth returned to the Springs, accompanied by Edith Metzger, on the 7:05 train from New York. They were met at the East Hampton train station by Pollock. On the way back to the house, Jackson stopped at Cavagnaros where the two women drank coffee and Pollock drank beer. He continued to drink through the afternoon. At one point Ruth took Edith to see Jacksons studio. Ruth Kligman: Jackson had not been working. He went to the studio only if some visitor was important enough. Then he would show his work. I walked in front of Edith. The sun was coming through the large overhead skylight. I was taken aback, as I had been the first time I walked in... We were overwhelmed. His largest canvases covered the walls, every inch of space was covered by his work... Tears came to Ediths eyes, soft small drops on her cheeks. She started to talk. It was as though Edith went into a trance. Suddenly out came the story of her very early life in Germany. Stories I had never heard of her background...My fathers best friend was killed by the Nazis, and many of my family. We were lucky we escaped to America, but my father couldnt take it. Somehow he couldnt take the life here. Germany and the Nazis had shattered his will, had left him a broken man, a man without resources. Ruth, I loved him so much and was never happy, he never made it. She was crying; I went to her and put my arms around her. I told her to cry and let it out. (RK194-5) August 11, 1956 (Night): Jackson Pollock and Edith Metzger die in a car accident. Ruth Kligman survives. By the evening, and numerous drinks later, Jackson was feeling better. After making Ruth and Edith a steak dinner he told Lee that they had been invited to Alfonso Ossorios house. Ossorio had just returned from Europe and was having some kind of musicale at his home. (RK197) Edith was reluctant because of the cold shoulder she had experienced from guests at previous parties they had attended in the Hamptons, but eventually it was agreed that they should go. On his way to the car Jackson staggered and Edith asked Ruth if he was all right? I mean, are you sure he can drive? Hes been drinking all day. After reassuring words from Ruth they got in the car - all three in the front seat. (RK199) Ruth Kligman: We drove toward East Hampton. Jackson drove fine, then suddenly started driving very slowly, then slower and slower. Finally he came to a full stop in the fork of the road. Whats the matter, Jackson? Are you all right? Im fine. I just want to stop for a moment. Just then a police car pulled up. An officer walked over. He recognized Jackson and the car. They knew each other. Good evening, Mr. Pollock. Is there anything the matter? Hello there, Jackson alerted, nothings wrong, we were just talking. How are you? Im fine. How are you? Do you need any help? No, thank you. Were visiting friends in East Hampton. Edith and I were as still as mice, not knowing what to do or say, I realized he was drunk. Edith whispered to me, Ruth, hes drunk. Lets go home. Take it easy. He knows what hes doing. Dont worry. ... After the cop left we started again on our way to East Hampton. Again he couldnt make it. Again he started to fall asleep. He drove about twenty miles per hour, his great head falling, his eyes glassy, moaning incoherently. I wished to God I knew how to drive. Jackson, please lets go home... We got him to stop. He turned around in front of the Cottage Inn, a roadhouse bar, a dancing place frequented by Negroes. It was Saturday night; there were a lot of cars around. Edith quickly got out of the car. Im going to call for help or call a cab; I must do something. She was panicked. She was right, but I called her back. Jackson got furious. She cant go in there, get her back. Then he mumbled drunkenly, something about involvement with Negroes, some disapproving puritanical remark. Edith, get back in the car. Come on! Dont go in there! But Ruth, hes drunk. I dont want to drive with him. Im afraid. No, hes not, hes fine, I promise you, were going home. Come on! Get In! ... I finally coaxed Edith to get back in. We started on our way home. Jackson was fully awake, fully conscious. He was angry, annoyed at us, and began to speed. Edith started screaming, Stop the car, let me out! She was pleading with him. Again she screamed, Let me out, please stop the car! Ruth, do something. Im scared! He put his foot all the way to the floor. He was speeding wildly. Jackson, slow down! Edith, stop making a fuss. Hes fine. Take it easy. Please. Jackson, stop! Jackson dont do this. I couldnt reach either of them. Her arms were waving. She was trying to get out of the car. He started to laugh hysterically. One curve too fast. The second curve came too quickly. Her screaming. His insane laughter. His eyes lost. We swerved, skidded to the left out of control - the car lunged into the trees. We crashed. (RK199-201) The car had crashed into two small elm trees. All three were thrown from the car. Jackson and Edith were both dead. Ruth survived. Clement Greenberg tried to locate Lee Krasner in Venice to tell her the news but was unable to find her. He rang Paul Jenkins in Paris to ask if he knew where Lee was. Paul told him she was there with him, standing right next to him. As Greenberg told Paul what had happened Lee overheard the bad news. Jackson is dead she screamed, crying uncontrollably. (JP248-9) She returned to New York immediately. (PP328) Jacksons death made the front page of The New York Times and was covered in most of the major newspapers and magazines. Time magazine referred to him as the shock trooper of modern painting. Life magazine captioned its obituary Rebel Artists Tragic Ending. (JP250) warholstars.org/abstractexpressionism/timeline/abstractexpressionism56.html#kmnb2
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 23:30:23 +0000
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