- Reading the Poem as Present by E.E.C.

Ernesto Estrella Cózar

Photograph by Nysos Vasilopoulos

It is rather challenging to attempt to describe Ernesto Estrella Cózar, a poet, performer and professor at Yale University. Primarily due to the truth that I do not know him that well. But even if I knew him well enough, again a description would be a rather difficult task knowing the complexity and the many layers of his work.

Here some excerpts from a manifesto on voice and poetry reading that he has;

* **The voice is a fragile state of sound *

* rhythm and silence the possibilities *

* of which are infinite. *

* *

**

* The nearness of a poem is a chance *

* for a reassessment of the creative *

* nature of poetry reading. *

**

**

**

* The voice sustains the possibility of *

* sharing the sensitive exploration of *

* this search.*

This is why I would personally call Ernesto Estrella a dangerously playful artist when it comes to sound, a deep with words poet & a genuine performer. One can easily distinguish the many layers of his work on his book Achronos; a virtual poetry project in collaboration with Greek photographer Nysos Vasilopoulos. To view more of Achronos you can visit http://newmedialab.cuny.edu/blog/2011/01/vpp-dossier-3-achronos/

In his new poetry workshop Reading the Poem as Present,Ernesto Estrella Cózar will explore the poem's potential to trigger and sustain a methodical questioning of our reading practices. Activating the poem as present offers an opportunity to develop new ears, new eyes and another dynamic, both mental and physical, in our relation to cultural and daily practices. We will look into manifestations of traditional and experimental poetry in diverse cultures, while extending poetic thinking to films, music and visual arts. Reading the Poem as Present is divided into four interwoven sessions that provide entry to the subject through a variety of media.

Saturday, April 9th from 2pm to 3:30pm: Who reads the poem?

Wednesday, April 13th from 6pm to 7:30pm: Discipline of the Ear

Saturday, April 16th from 2pm to 3:30pm: Discipline of the Eye

Wednesday, April 20th from 6pm to 7:30pm: Out of poem, without leaving it

The Bowery Poetry Club. 308 Bowery. New York, NY 10012

Workshop fee: $60 for series (drop in Session: $20)

Registration: poemaspresent@gmail.com