Otoliths Issue 47

I have two poems in issue 47 of Otoliths.

The works are based on writing to a series of images, primarily from Simon Stålenhag’s forthcoming book, the Electric State, and hiromi suzuki’s works, Black Sun and an untitled series centred on envelopes.

I did also include a range of other favourite famous and less well known images in the process. You can see most of them above.

Otoliths

I have three poems in Otoliths issue forty-four, two are experiments: in responding to random lines and in ekphrastic collage. Another is a bit of history. There is a lot of work in this issue, follow the links above and check out the writing and art of contributors from around the globe.

Thanks to Otoliths for publishing my work.

PIA21056: Daphnis Up Close

Michael Masters – Black & White Landscapes – The Photography Room

For the last few weeks I have been working on a commission for the Photography Room in Kingston. Photographer Sean Davey asked me to come in and look at the photographs in their main space, as well as some of the imagery from the then upcoming solo exhibition by Michael Masters, Black and White Landscapes.

I found a synergy between Michael’s work and a poem I have been working on based on images of Appalachia and some streetscapes of the USA. These two areas have been a focus of Michael’s photography exhibited in the Photography Room and the Black and White Landscapes solo exhibition.

Michael Masters

A second poem which I started specifically for the exhibition examines the Appalachian Trail and Canberra as the ‘Bush Capital’. This one draws concepts from the photographic exploration of critically endangered tree stands and grassy woodlands in Australia, as well as the Appalachian Trail which was established as a means to conserve natural landscapes in the USA.

A third poem has been developed extensively based on Michael’s streetscape photography and my own exploration of Canberra City but I don’t feel it is ready for the performance in the space this evening as it requires more edits to draw out its themes and form them into something that will challenge audiences.

Michael Masters

I am performing two of the three poems developed as part of the commission, along with two poems from my book, For All The Veronicas (The Dog Who Staid), at 6pm on Friday, 3 June in the Photography Room at the Kingston Bus Depot Markets. (This event was rescheduled to Midday Sunday 5 June).

Poetry For Fighting

I have a new poem at Demos Journal. 

They offered this description, ‘Responding to the pervasive influence of America, Andrew Galan explores imagery of place and identity’. The piece is titled Poetry For Fighting (They Say). 

The image is by Amanda Coghlan and was taken in El Bruc, Catalonia during my 2014 residency at the Can Serrat International Artist Residency. 

Thanks to Demos for publishing the poem.

The Sun Eater, Las Meninas and The Grapple Annual

I have a poem in The Grapple Annual, it is a prose poem titled, The Sun Eater, Catalonia, 17 July 1936 to 17 July 2013, Miró and Picasso.

The Grapple Annual - Grapple Publishing

The work is a response to visiting the Picasso Museum and the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona.

Las Meninas - Pablo Picasso

I was fascinated by the paintings in the Picasso Museum which demonstrate Picasso’s analysis and re-interpretation of Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas. 

Picasso's efforts reportedly very much annoyed people as he did not follow the orthodoxies of re-interpreting another artist's work.

Las Meninas - Diego Velázquez’s

I find examining the process of artistic development feeds my imagination. I also find the motivations of artists to be interesting. According to the Tate, "Picasso’s Las Meninas are a bitter satire, revealing Franco’s careful and cynical orchestration of his image in the grand tradition of Philip II of Spain (1527–1598), the great Habsburg King." I didn't get that from the work, I just got that Picasso was happy to upset people within the artistic establishment.

That combination of interests combined with my ongoing interest in the development process of Joan Miró led me to synthesize my experiences in the Foundation and Museum into one written piece.

The Sun Eater - Joan Miró

I have also been developing a performance of the work, this has been aided by input into the text from George Orwell. 

The Grapple Annual was launched at Newcastle’s This is Not Art in early October, you can grab a copy online from the Australian Capital Terriory-based Grapple Publishing.