Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.
This journal page covers October 4–5, 1959. In his entry for October 4 Indiana describes a day on Fire Island with J. (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss), and Art (clinical psychologist and art collector Arthur Carr). He notes finding more rusted treasures (to incorporate into his sculptures), and that "the day was very warm and the water was splendid."
Indiana often referenced current events in his journals; here "the Lunik (CCCP)" refers to the space probe, Luna 3, which was launched on October 4 by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
In his journal entry for October 5 Indiana records receiving two rejection letters for submissions he had made, one from French and Co. and another from the Guggenheim, lamenting "a dull letter from [Clement] Greenberg's assistant; a more cheery one from [James] Sweeney himself. I am no closer." He then describes getting ready to attend the opening of the David Herbert Gallery (Initial Exhibition, October 5-31, 1959) with J. (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss), bumping into Jack Youngerman downstairs, and heading up together. Of the opening Indiana writes:
"We arrived late and many of the more notable familiar faces had already departed—Betty Parsons and the [Kenzo] Okada’s [sic] for instance. But there were more than enough to make up for them—of, if more minor, of even more familiar cast, and slightly unsettling, my relationship with all of a very lukewarm quality. There was first of all Ellsworth [Kelly], but without Jay; Jesse [Wilkinson] in fancy black hose, all patterned and wicked looking; Edgar [Negret] and Paul [Foster] (I heard from someone that Edgar will be David’s first plunge); Leon and Bob; Bill Scharf (strangely enough he precedes even Ellsworth, my knowing him via Mobilux)—who must come sometime after Edgar, for one of his paintings hung in David's plush office (though it was not included in his catalogue as Edgar, Kelly, and Jack were); Bob Rosenblum; Jim Harvey, who indeed takes ultimate seniority (his show tomorrow) and he with a fellow Chicagoan whose face and name I dimly remembered: Guy Luster; Bob Frazer, of course; and the Louis met on Fire Island; Agnes [Martin] and Chryssa (who barely managed a greeting); Lorin (Randy’s friend); and it was Agnes who suggested that, after a beer with Chryssa, we should have dinner at the Automat. Still there on the fringe were Louise Nevelson (and her Ted); Mr. Castelli; Ad Reinhardt."
