interview conducted by Brett Noorigian Colby
This week, we are thrilled to learn more about nationally reknowned author Helen Pike, whose books Asbury Park’s Glory Days: The Story of an American Resort and Asbury Park: Images of America are devoted to Asbury Park history. More about Ms. Pike can be found at www.helenpike.com.
Q. What do you think you are most well known for?
A. As a writer of non-fiction books about New Jersey. My eighth book comes out in the spring.
Q. What is something that people probably don't know about you, and/or that you are very proud of?
A. I do a lot of my own photography, especially black and white. The first time photographer Kathy Dorn Severini was in my home she thought the photos on the walls came from the Dorn's Classic Collection. I was flattered.
Q. Why do you think that ART is important?
A. Art is about the quality of life we live. When it's well done ~ painting, books, music, dance, video ~ the audience is engaged. Their responses translate into participation and that, in turn, creates community. Commercial television doesn't do that.
Q. What “art form” first comes to mind when you think of Asbury Park?
A. Architecture. Asbury Park is a very visual city. Good, bad and ironic. The occasional billboard or even a PSA from the county prosecutor's office adds to the juxtaposition of images.
Q. Were you involved in any ‘art’ while you were in school?
A. Just the usual: high school and college newspaper; classes in photography.
Q. Are you involved with teaching “art” in any way?
A. These days, to lecture on the college level requires a certain amount of performance in the delivery of material to the students. In addition, part of my course requirement at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is that media students present a paper. How they do it can take any shape that best suits them, but part of the grade they earn is based on how well they engage their classmates in their topic.
Q. Do you consider yourself an artist or a patron of the arts or both? If both, in which order?
A. Both, but I can't put in one ahead of the other. When I'm involved in a project, I'm usually a patron, using my participation as part of the thought process. I often carry a small notebook to musical events because those, in particular, trigger ideas.
Q. Are you currently making a living with your art? Do you have to have a second job to ‘pay the rent”? What would make it easier?
A. Writing is too solitary a craft for me to do only that, so I teach part-time. There's an exchange of ideas in the classroom that you don't get in the real world where too many people are focused on having the last word. Since '05 I've had classes with military students, some about to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan, and some just returning. Their perspective has opened up a whole other realm of discussion I wouldn't have otherwise.
Q. As an artist, after completing a work of art (or a debut), how do you celebrate?
A. Go out to dinner with friends or else throw a party. Either way, it's important to commemorate getting to the finish line.
Q. Do you have any plans for the future that involve Asbury Park?
A. I have two new book ideas and a couple of video projects.
Q. Do you now or have you ever lived in Asbury Park?
A. Only as a house and cat sitter.
Q. What is your favorite hang-out in Asbury Park? Why?
A. The Adriatic. It's down home. Friends took me there to celebrate my birthday in 1997, and I've been checking in ever since. When friends come from out-of-state I make an expedition of sampling the other tables. Asbury Park is a gourmet’s paradise.
Q. What is your favorite Asbury Park memory?
A. Scaling the Casino and the Palace Amusements to take interior photographs. I was working out the logistics of getting into the Albion Hotel when it came down.
Q. If you couldn’t be successful doing your art, what would you like to do instead?
A. Be an interior designer.
Q. What would you like your tombstone to say?
A. “Greetings from heaven. Wish you were here.” I've already talked to gravestone designer Beth Woolley about it.
Q. What one thing in your past would you change if you could?
A. Chosen more wisely at love.
Q. What king of car do you drive? Some people say it is a reflection of your personality
A. I've had 2 VWs, one Karmen Ghia (my favorite), one Volvo, and now a Nissan Pathfinder that I use as a mobile office because of all the driving I do. What I really want is someone to drive me so I can look at the scenery. I wouldn't care what they drive though a convertible for shooting images would be nice. A retractable roof works, too.
Q. What do you think ArtsCAP can do to promote the ARTS in Asbury Park?
A. Take a more vocal activist role in the public debate about the role of art in Asbury Park's renaissance.