57 AEI (Articles, Essays, Interviews) Intro

57 Productions is developing this section of the site to feature & sample articles, essays & interviews etc. – to create a space for exchange on key issues concerning contemporary poetry in performance – in practice & theory

We will aim to keep an eye & an ear out for what’s happening – what’s being said in the media, on the street & in the seminar - & where we can – soliciting & commissioning content

57 would also like to express an interest in essays & articles with focus on areas & themes such as poetry & popular culture (for e.g. music – dub, rap, jazz, & comedy; poetry & politics (inc. class, race, gender, sexuality); orality & literacy/performance & the page/body; sound/concrete/flash-poetry; poetry & the new media

For example, 57 proposes to take soundings on poetry & the new media

The internet is a powerful communications medium & a decentred space for cultural production & exchange. It is arguably elitist & yet potentially liberating - & as with previous technological revolutions it requires a re-situating of poetry – only here & now it is possible for poetry to position itself at the heart of new & developing systems of dynamic & interactive multi-media cultural production

57 is inviting comments from the widest possible community – inc. readers & writers, performers, artists & designers, academics & the generally interested – giving instances & details of practice, where possible, for people to check out for themselves

The Articles section will also feed into the 57 Forum – where people can post & swap comments

OTHER available articles

New Media and the Teaching of Poetry in Higher Education
Nigel McLoughlin of the University of Gloucestershire shares insights as to how new media is beginning to inform poetic teaching practices in Higher Education in this newly commissioned article for 57

Digital Poetry Goes Live!
Here's a copy of a new article as first published by the National Association of Writers in Education (Writing in Education, Issue 41) - by Paul Beasley of 57

57 News Autumn 2007
In Autumn 2007 57 announces a wealth of new content for the iPoems & Video Jukebox systems - & is engaged in an extensive promotional programme - inc. events, workshops & talks - here are the details

Mikey Smith by Mervyn Morris
Here's a fine new article on the great late Jamaican dub-poet Mikey Smith from Mervyn Morris - especially commissioned by 57 - & coinciding with the re-release of a rare recording of Mikey's poem 'Say Natty Natty/Goliath' on the Poetry Jukebox - STILL FREE!

Recent Press
Here's a selection of links to recent press - with thanks to The Guardian's Culture Vulture, Open Magazine, plus ...

Performance Poetry and Theory
Performance Poetry and Academic Theory in the Trenches: Suggestions for a necessary Dialogue by Cornelia Gräbner

THE POET IN THE COMMUNITY: A LITTLE ADVENTURE
The popular poet & broadcaster Ian McMillan writes about his experiences of working with the public at large & small in a specially commissioned article for 57

57 launches iPoems & the Video Jukebox
57 is pleased to announce the launch of www.ipoems.org.uk & www.poetryvideojukebox.com - in October 2006 - here's the announcement

The Bowery Program in Applied Poetics
Here's an announcement of A Certificate Program in Applied Poetics at the Bowery Poetry Club, New York Summer 2006 Session: August 13-August 27, 2006

Ivor Cutler, John La Rose & Linda Smith: The Guardian Obituaries
2006 witnessed the loss of Ivor Cutler, John La Rose & Linda Smith - inspirational figures - memories of whom are cherished & whose work & influence lives on. Here we offer links to The Guardian Obituaries by Mark Espiner, Linton Kwesi Johnson & Jeremy Hardy respectively

The Bitten Tongue
The Censoring of a Poem: 'Isaiah' by Jean 'Binta' Breeze

Hovis has left the building
Another sad link - Hovis Presley, poet & comedian, a premature obituary - from Toby Hadoke for The Independent (sorry, it seems you would have to buy this now - it is a touching item)

Kamau Brathwaite: My Emmerton 2005
Here is a copy of an open letter received from one of the Caribbean's most distinguished sons - concerning the plight of & fight for his physical & spiritual home - CowPastor, Barbados

A Hot Weekend: Performance Poetry Conference
In the Summer of 2003 a special conference was inaugurated at Bath Spa University - on the subject of 'Performance Poetry'. Here, the curator - writer & performer Lucy English, gives a personal account of what was involved & its outcomes

Michael Donaghy The Guardian Obituary
A fine appreciation of the work & life of Michael by Sean O'Brien

Courttia Newland Interview
Young black British purveyor of 'urban realism', Courttia discusses his work to date & that in progress

Sound Poetry
Leading experimental poet, Peter Finch, traces the emergence & development of 'Sound-Poetry' within British & European contexts - providing a special focus on Bob Cobbing - & hyperlinks - to explore this avant gardist phenomena - in a specially commissioned article for 57

Liz Lochhead Independent Interview
Liz discusses her recent collection of poetry - The Colour of Black & White (Polygon) - & her adaptation of The Thebans

Linton Kwesi Johnson New Humanist Interview
Linton battles interview fatique to deliver a frank & revealing account of his personal development - through politics, poetry & music

A Conversation with Jean “Binta” Breeze
Dub and Difference: the transcript of a recent interview conducted with Jean by Jenny Sharpe for Callaloo journal (USA)