3 Minutes with E. Ethelbert Miller
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E. Ethelbert Miller is a poet and the director of the African-American Resource Center at Howard University. He is the author of numerous books of poetry and a memoir of fatherhood.
When I contacted Miller about this portrait, we discussed the quality of the natural light in his office.
“Does your office face south?” I asked Miller. “In Washington, D.C., southern windows get good light.”
“My office faces Mecca,” Miller informed me.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Which way is Mecca again?”
“I’m just kidding,” Miller said.
3 Responses to “3 Minutes with E. Ethelbert Miller”
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February 18th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Okay…did I miss something. This is a 3 minute video of an expressionless Mr. Miller sitting still and occasionally adjusting his glasses and blinking. Oh…let’s not forget the finale…he licks his lips. Come on CP, this isn’t even a good “Stare” game video. With all the 3 minutes of nothingness to choose from, why this? Even Pootie Tang’s Silent song was funnier than this.
February 21st, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Thanks for the comment “Q”…if that is your real name.
The “Three Minutes With…” portrait series, a web cannabilization of Andy Warhol’s “Screen Test,” responds to a point-and-click culture in which 180 seconds is a lifetime. Indeed, nothing happens in my portrait of Mr. Miller. But my hope is that you will actually look at E. Ethelbert Miller, really see E. Ethelbert Miller. Who is E. Ethelbert Miller? What does E. Ethelbert Miller reveal about himself in these three minutes? And why is “sitting still” necessarily boring?
Repeated viewing may be necessary.
March 25th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Initially I watched for a bit, then scrolled down and read the narrative, then returned and stayed put, as E Ethelbert Miller did. I noticed he has very straight posture, holds himself with dignity, appears relatively patient, emits an aura of kindness and thoughtfulness, and he’s pleasing to look at (handsome). I read several of his poems in Beltway and liked them a lot.