John Giorno was a contemporary American poet and artist known for his renowned poem, silkscreen, and installation piece of the same name, THANX 4 NOTHING. Taking on issues of sexuality, death, psychedelic drugs, and his life in New York, Giorno’s text-based work and poetry often employs appropriation and performance to evoke memories and feelings of transcendence. “Every person can look back on their life and see a great opera,” the artist once reflected. Born on December 4, 1936 in New York, NY, Giorno studied at Columbia University before briefly working as a stockbroker. In 1962, the aspiring poet met Andy Warhol during an opening at Stable Gallery in New York. The two became close friends and occasional lovers, with Giorno...