Electronic Voice Phenomena – Silva, Sutherland, Fowler, Outfit and more

Performance: Electronic Voice Phenomena

Wednesday May 22nd, 2013, 6:30 pm

Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester

£7/£5, booking advised.

Taking its name and inspiration from Konstantin Raudive’s 1970s  experiments into hearing unidentified voices in electronic interference, Electronic Voice Phenomena is a brand-new programme of performance works featuring seven of the  country’s most innovative artists working across text, technology and  physical performance. Part séance, part avant-garde cabaret, all new,  the artists appearing include Outfit, Ross Sutherland, Hannah Silva and SJ Fowler plus special guests. Tickets £7/£5 advance, available here.

Our website is www.anthonyburgess.org; the project website is http://www.electronicvoicephenomena.net/

Like This Press: Two New Collaborative Books in Boxes

The latest publications from Like This Press are two new collaborations by SJ Fowler with Ben Morris and David Kelly, the Estates of Westeros and Gilles de Rais. Each box contains 34 loose-leafed A5 postcards, blending text and image.

The Estates of Westeros is where avant garde poetry meets avant garde illustration. Whether perception or reality, housing estates are environments of occlusion, claustrophobia and damage, and poetry about them has a responsibility to reflect this complexity and intensity in its tone and form. The Estates of Westeros is a meditation on this living space through the universe of George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones, and where Gilles de Rais explores the absurdity of mythmaking in that which once was real, the Estates … explores the grinding realism at the heart of the fantastical.

In Gilles de Rais – an interchangeable narrative reflection on the life and legend of Gilles de Rais – this fusion of avant garde poetry and modernist line drawing aims to satirise and subvert the manner in which the monstrous myth surrounding such de Rais is echoed in our own time by Jimmy Saville. This is the disjunctive folklore of idiot’s resounding through the ages, from 15th century France to 21st century Britain.

Both books can be purchased for £9 direct from Like This Press: http://www.likethispress.co.uk/publications/sjfowlerandbenmorris

http://www.likethispress.co.uk/publications/sjfowleranddavidkelly

Special offer: buy the Estates of Westeros with Gilles de Rais together for £15 from here: http://www.likethispress.co.uk/specialoffers

the Estates of Westeros and Gilles de Rais launched as part of the Enemies of the North project on 30 March, at the Cornerhouse, Manchester. Both books will feature also in the group exhibition,Synesthesia, organised by Leap into the Void & held at Darnley Gallery, in Hackney, London, 12-19 April. For more information, see: http://leapintothevoid.co.uk/2013/03/26/synesthesia-15th-19th-april-2013/

SJ Fowler is a poet living in London. He’s published four collections of poetry including Fights (Veer books) and Minimum Security Prison Dentistry (AAA press), and has collections forthcoming from Penned in the Margins and Eggbox publishing. He has been commissioned by the Tate, the London Sinfonietta and Mercy and has read and exhibited across Europe. He curates the Enemies project, supported by the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, and Maintenant, a series of reading and interviews focusing on contemporary European poetics and collaboration. He is currently undertaking a Phd at the Contemporary Poetics Research Centre, Birkbeck College and is an employee of the British Museum. www.sjfowlerpoetry.com / www.blutkitt.blogspot.com / www.weareenemies.com /

www.youtube.com/fowlerpoetry

David Kelly is an artist working in the modernist tradition, currently with a centre of interest in collage. He has collaborated with and ‘visually translated’ numerous writers and poets including David Berridge, Daniele Pantano and SJ Fowler. His collaborative works have been exhibited at The Saison Poetry Library, The Horse Hospital, My Pixxa and Rich Mix. He received a degree from the University of Leeds School of Fine Art, History of Art & Cultural Studies in 2007 and is now an employee of the British Museum.

Ben Morris is a London based experimental musician and artist. He has been active in the UK underground music scene since 2005 and is best known as 1 half of Chora, which he formed with Robert Lye in Sheffield. He has gigged and toured extensively throughout Europe receiving critical praise in The Wire magazine, on webzines such as The Quietus, Dusted and Foxy Digitalis and on radio stations like WFMU (America), VPRO (Holland) and BBC radio 3. Chora have a large multi-format back catalogue on labels like ChocolateMonk, Singing Knives Records and Winebox Press. He has played gigs with Sonic Youth, Wolf Eyes and Psychic TV as well as shows at Colour Out Of Space Festival, the ICA and at the Liverpool Biennial. He has received commissions from Mercy for collaborative sound performances with Steven Fowler. Other musical projects include: Le Drapeau Noir, Akke Phallus Duo and he records/performs solo as Lost Wax…

Enemies of the North – films

Films of the March 30th event at the Cornerhouse, Manchester are now online, including this performance from Matt Dalby and Steven Waling. Complete list below.
David Kelly & Daniele Pantano http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkyqvxzUS1E
Matt Dalby & Steven Waling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBg1bC4bY1Y
James Byrne & Sandeep Parmar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm9I2Odu85A
Alec Newman & Ryan Van Winkle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9BJI1b7mqE
Richard Barrett & Nathan Thompson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f87q-6KCGvY

Enemies of the North / Enemies of the South

Enemies of the North – March Saturday 30th at the Cornerhouse in Manchester. 5.30pm to 9pm in the Annexe room – entrance free. A special Camarade event, a day of original collaborations in poetry, sonic art and visual art, celebrating the resurgent energy of the northwest innovative poetry scene.  In addition to the launch of 3 collaborative publications involving SJ Fowler, the event will feature performance by:

  • Zoe Skoulding & Robert Sheppard
  • Richard Barrett & Nathan Thompson
  • Sarah Crewe & Jo Langton
  • Michael Egan & Bobby Parker
  • Steven Waling & Matt Dalby
  • Adam Steiner & Eleanor Rees
  • James Byrne & Sandeep Parmar
  • SJ Fowler & Marcus Slease
  • Daniele Pantano & David Kelly
  • Tom Jenks & Chris McCabe
  • Ben Morris
Enemies of the South – April Saturday 27th at the Arnolfini in Bristol – 6.30pm to 7.30pm in the Light Studio. Enemies presents a special one off Camarade event as part of the remarkable 4 day programme at the Arnolfini in Bristol, which sees avant garde poetry and performance art at the forefront of a wonderful festival programme. The event will feature:
  • Holly Pester & Emma Bennett
  • Tim Atkins & Mark Waldron
  • David Berridge & James Wilkes
  • Patrick Coyle & SJ Fowler
  • Daniel Rourke & Claire Potter
  • Jeff Hilson & Marcus Slease
  • Tom Jenks & Chris McCabe

Camarade IV

Films from SJ Fowler’s Camarade IV event at the Rich Mix, Bethnal Green London. Above is the collaboration between James Wilkes and Christodoulos Makris. Full list below.

Intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQVxS5egZUY

Carol Watts & George Szirtes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8phvyg1Euhc
Holly Pester & Daniel Rourke http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlA21GaQCz4
Astrid Alben & Sophie Mayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCzbkoXL9Cs
Ryan Van Winkle & Kirsty Irving http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyNJTr_o9Qo
Marek Kazmierski & Stephen Watts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcxSzAxyyrY
Lucy Harvest Clarke & Stephen Emmerson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICDHyV2B010
James Wilkes & Christodoulos Makris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt3PZHhjOoU
Roddy Lumsden & Carrie Etter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N_GrfOqKMM
Daniel Barrow & Ollie Evans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFFHV1Mk274

Maintenant #95 – Ivan Hristov

An instrumental figure at the core of 21st century Bulgarian poetics, Ivan Hristov’s poetics are as variable and layered as the modern history of the country itself. As an educator and organiser, Hristov has been the driving force behind the Sofia poetics festival, bringing poets from around Europe to witness and interact with a surging new generation of poets emerging from the city, and as a poet himself, his connection and fusion with English language poetry has produced a unique style and cadence within his output which has gained plaudits from across the continent and America. Another figure in European poetry who conceives of organisation as a responsibility alongside his own practise, we are pleased to introduce Ivan Hristov as the 95th respondent of the Maintenant series.

Accompanying the interview are three of Ivan’s poems, translated by Angela Rodel.

Ubu Roi, I Boris

I Boris

Chris McCabe and Tom Jenks’ fourth collaboration is Ubu Roi, I Boris an adaptation of the 1951 Gaberbocchus edition of Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi,  illustrated by Franciszka Themerson.  You can catch up with the text so far, featuring, amongst others, Dale Winton, Ant & Dec, Peter Mandleson and William Hague in a bespoke sausage suit at the website.

The collaboration is part of SJ Fowler’s Camarade project and will be performed in some shape or form at the next Camarade event on 9th February at the Rich Mix in London.

Aurelia Lassaque London book launch with Amy Key, SJ Fowler, Jessica Pujol and Nia Davies

Housmans Radical Booksellers, 5 Caledonian Road,  London, N1 9DX. Thursday, December 13, 7:00pm. A rare chance to hear Occitan poet Aurelia Lassaque read her poems from her new book – Solstice and other poems, translated into English by James Thomas. Featuring guest readings from Martin Solotruk, Amy Key, Jessica Pujol, SJ Fowler, Nia Davies and others tbc. Join Francis Boutle Publishing, Literature Across Frontiers and Maintenant for an evening of poetry at Housman’s radical bookshop, Kings Cross, London.

 

Poets for Pussy Riot II – the videos

Films from the November 21st event in London, including this above by February 2013 Other Room reader Marcus Slease.

Tim Atkins – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLSh7fTcerE
Ryan Ormonde & Becky Cremin – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZimrOYTNAIc
Sascha Akhtar – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saZcmbxcfxw
Jennifer Cooke – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ajg5PRPE_I
Gareth Evans – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su8e7wX74Mk
myself – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcftO_V5dJY
Lucy Furlong – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQxsHL2iQa0
Charlotte Geater – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCNlYkAQN1M
Sarah Hesketh – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh6REtgv11g
Michael Horovitz – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nYIOV5tMEc
Jeff Hilson – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqoVOigij9Q
Kirsten Irving – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS5XNrt9U-w
Marek Kazmierski & co – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyrHNDeQU8Y
Candy Parfitt – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVLU3uAhnk
Alex MacDonald – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVLU3uAhnk
Ziba Karbassi – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heAH0kHsUQo
Deborah Pearson – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SonqzqYGO2E
Claire Potter – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcNacthFmuE
Frances Presley – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDFb5V2ktWc
Shelagh Rowan-Legg – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFnVCuYBMOw
Fathieh Saudi – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7QdOlSYFzM
Marcus Slease – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-VAH0vr90
Jon Stone – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGU9hq5hLbo
Jack Underwood – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv0hy58zKOM
M. Ly-Eliot – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dCIL0IQkKY
Stephen Watts – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vndikc2cq8
Michael Zand – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u97ejjz0-WU
Tim Dooley – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsqlqGlm6LE
Francesca Lisette – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylnNxVp_bqM

The Cinepoem project

Thursday November 22nd 2012 from 7.30 the Richmix arts centre, the main space. 35-47 Bethnal Green road, E1 6LA. 020 7613 7498. Free entrance for all.

  • Tom Raworth & Avi Dabach
  • Emanuella Amichai & SJ Fowler
  • Tim Atkins & Ran Slavin

A ground breaking collaborative exchange between three Israeli film-makers / video artists and three British poets, translating the medium of poetry into the practise of film to produce three original, poetic films, or cinepoems.

The aim of the project is to transform the auspices of a selected, single poem into short, conceptual films, that will be screened on November 22nd in London, at the Richmix Arts centre. The event will also feature poetry readings from Tom Raworth, Tim Atkins and SJ Fowler, and a panel discussion exploring the unique nature of poetic / filmic collaboration and the potentiality of poetry as a medium adaptable to film.

The project is designed to show that the potential for poetry to be realised in the narrative of film and film-making may lay the path for a wide future between these mediums, enriching them both in the process. This is the first instalment of the Enemies project, a year long exploration of poetry and collaboration, curated by SJ Fowler, supported by the Jerwood Charitable Foundation.

Programme of events:

  • A poetry reading by the poets: SJ Fowler, Tom Raworth, Tim Atkins.
  • Ran Slavin will introduce a film based on Tim Atkins’ poem: ODES I / 32+ODES II /3
  • – Avi Dabach will introduce a short film based on Tom Raworth’s poem “TAXOMONY”
  • Emanuella Amichai will introduce a short film based on SJ Fowler’s poem :”38 meditations on strong tea”
  • A panel discussion exploring the unique nature of poetic / filmic collaboration
  • Please contact steven@sjfowlerpoetry.com for details.

Maintenant #94: Pierre Joris

Via Steven Fowler:

“There are figures in poetry whose contribution to the understanding of the medium is so immense it cannot be properly appreciated when they are still practising their thought as a poet, let alone as also a prolific critic, anthologist, teacher and theorist. All the more is this true when their work is as enormous, and relentless, as it is subtle, generous and deft. Even more so again when they have been at this work for over forty five years. Who would hope to engage more in the roots and edges of poetics in one lifetime than Pierre Joris has over his? He has published over forty books. He has translated hundreds of poets, not just offering new understandings of their work in his translations, but often resurrecting, if not creating, an appreciation in the Western World. He is as exceptional a polylingual translator as the late 20th century has seen and is inarguably seminal in his own work for the revelation of multi-lingual writing amongst other things. He has taught thousands of students, never once comprising the fundamentally ethical, rigorous and complex ideas behind his work and his understanding of poetry in general. He has written numerous articles on his contemporaries, and having lived across Europe, Africa and the United States, those who have constituted his peers are an exceptionally plentiful group. Add onto that his editorial co-presiding over one of the most important anthologies ever conceived, the poems for the millenium. His dexterity and depth of understanding is matched only by his generosity, and the immense legacy he has already cemented. It is a great pleasure, in our 94th edition, to introduce our first Luxembourger poet, by birth, who is rather obviously, a citizen of everywhere and nowhere.
http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/maintenant-94-pierre-joris/

Pierre was kind enough to allow us to publish four poems alongside the interview.

http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/notes-on-solon-other-poems/

Poets for Pussy Riot – the videos

A week after the news that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich of the Russian punk collective, Pussy Riot, were sentenced to two years in prison, over 30 contemporary poets came together at the Rich mix arts centre in Brick Lane, London for a unique evening of readings intended as an act of solidarity through the medium of poetry, and a celebration of the courage and spirit of fellow writers of this generation.

Films of the event are now online, including this collaborative piece by recent Other Room readers Becky Cremin and Ryan Ormonde. The full list as follows:

Becky Cremin & Ryan Ormonde – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7cmQ0lnoa4

S J Fowler: Recipes

Out now on The Red Ceilings Press.

Incredibly, SJ Fowler’s recipes turn into poems as soon as you read them: exotic, nonsensical, provocative, furiously funny, but also tender and intimate (in their own way).

Don’t try this at home.   – Frédéric Forte (member of the Oulipo)
If this is some of what he ate where, then SJ Fowler also swallowed Antonin Artaud whole, calmed his stomach with bumblebees and psychedelics instead of milk of magnesia, and then started pogoing. These recipes are in the grand tradition of The Futurist Cookbook (offeringchickenfiat; elasticake; simultaneous fruit), and Harry Mathews’ famous “Country Cooking” (bludgeoned with an underwater boomerang)– and provide food for thought for the hungriest of readers. Binge and purge!  This little book has completely cured my lactose intolerance.           – Dr Tim Atkins (author of “The Atkins Diet”)
SJ Fowler squeezes the lemon and lime and shame all over Pee Wee Herman’s full English breakfast. He drops a pineapple in the Virgin Mary’s favoured bucket. He has done things you should not cook and done them deliberately with aubergines. He cleaves to the bat and the ruined ape. These are not necessarily bad things.     – Tom Jenks