We know about the political ramifications of what happened in Libya over the past few months but what did it mean for poetry and the arts in general? This article in the Tripoli Post gives an overview of the consequence of revolution and the overthrow of Gaddafi.
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Augmented Reality Poetry Book: Between Page and Screen
We are always on the lookout for new ways in which that most protean of art forms, poetry, can be presented. And here’s something of a landmark that harnesses the power of a computer interfacing the internet to deliver the poetic goods.
There are no words printed on the pages of this book, Between Page and Screen, which contains a series of letters between two lovers. Instead, each page has a geometric shape and a web address leading to the book’s website. To access the text, readers visit the website and hold up each page to their webcam. The website detects the geometric shapes then displays the poetry in text animations.
The video below shows the book in action.
Inua Ellams Down Under
Ooh we love it when one of own makes great strides in the world of poetry! Friend of Tears in the Fence, poet Inua Ellams has taken his play down under. More grease to his poetic elbows, we say!
Australian Poetry Since 1788
Part of the raison d’etre of this blog is to highlight news about poetry from all around the world. As obvious as that might sound, I say it in light of the fact that there is so much going on that it can be difficult not to look beyond the poetry that’s right under your nose.
I’ll hold my hand up to say that I am in the dark about poetry from Australia but I would definitely like to know more. So the publication of this doorstopper of reference book (all 1090 pages of it!) caught my attention. It’s pricey but it sounds like it’s worth it.
Poetry FAQs at McSweeney
Wendy MacLeod ponders some frequently posed questions relating to poetry. It wouldn’t be in McSweeney if it wasn’t liberally peppered with humour.
This one is my favourite:
Why do people go to poetry readings?
Some go to get signed copies of books that may one day be worth something on eBay. Some go because it makes them look arty and deep. But most use poetry readings as a gentle, non-addictive sleep aid.
I can’t help thinking that there’s more than hint of truth in that!
The Biggest Poetry Meeting in the English Speaking World – A Documentary
On 11 June 1965, 7000 people witnessed the first meeting of American and English Beat poets such as Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gregory Corso and Ernst Jandl. Someone made a documentary, Wholly Communion, about it.
Hard to imagine poetry attracting an audience of that magnitude these days.
Some Poetry Films…
Recently, I’ve been enjoying some of the “poetry in motion” produced by motion504. They describe themselves this way: “motion504 is a broadcast design, effects and animation studio specializing in the art of motion. Featuring the talent of senior-level creative directors, designers and animators, the company works for TV, film, music and advertising clients.
With its open studio space, motion504 is built upon the idea of collaboration through communication, critique and contribution amongst its artists and clients.”
Thoreau and the Lightning from motion504 on Vimeo.
When at at Certain Party in NYC from motion504 on Vimeo.
French Movie from motion504 on Vimeo.
Katy Perry AND John Donne in the Same Article? Who Knew?
This should have properly been a post for Valentine’s Day but the nature of love and the pondering thereof in poetry and song is the stuff of everyday, right? John Swarbrooke thinks so.
Who would you want to serenade you about love?
Poetry Teacher Takes On Student in Rap Battle
I realise this might not be the usual Tears in the Fence poetry fare but I suspect Mark Grist, the teacher involved in this rap battle, DOES read the type of poetry you might find in Tears. It tickles me that the teacher beat the student at his own game and with a lot more style and word play too! I’m familiar with the process of trying to engage young people with poetry in schools. It helps sometimes (depending on the school and the students) if you can approach it using something – like rap – that means something to them. I imagine Blizzard got a lesson in poetry and the manipulation of words that wouldn’t have sunk in quite the same way in the classroom!
Tears in the Fence 