Irvin Kershner director of Episode V on being stuck in Iran in the 50s, painting, music & films

[jakeXT]

Last edited Thu Dec 17, 2015, 05:15 PM - Edit history (1)

Although he is ultimately best known as the director of one of the highest grossing block- busters of all time, there is hardly an artistic medium that Irvin Kershner hasn’t gotten his hands on.

Growing up in Philadelphia in the 1920s and 30s, Kershner (or “Kersh,” as he’s known) was immersed in the arts. He studied and performed classical violin and viola, actively pursuing his dream of becoming a composer and conductor during and after his high school years. Then, after serving three and a half years abroad in the Air Force during World War II, Kershner returned to the U.S. and changed his course from music to art.

With encouragement from a close friend, Kershner began studying fine art at Temple University - Tyler School of Fine Arts in his hometown of Philadelphia. Growing increasingly frustrated and bored with the traditional art education, however, he soon followed his friend to New York and Provincetown to begin his studies with Hans Hofmann, whom he credits with opening his eyes to “the wonders of painting.”

Ever restless, Kershner painted for two years before determining that he didn’t have the patience to follow through with it as a career. He changed his course again, this time heading west to study photography at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.
http://www.pbs.org/hanshofmann/irvin_kershner_pf_001.html