Phantoms at the Lounge: NZ and US poets take on the world
3 May, 2010
The launch of Phantom Billstickers fifth instalment of poetry posters to the world was held at the historic Old Government House at Auckland University on the 28th April and MC'd by Michele Leggott
We were very fortunate to have in attendance US Consul General Randy Berry who launched this season of poster poetry by pasting and reading up the first Poster Poem “Old Song” by distinguished American poet Robert Creeley.
Following Randy Berry was Selina Tusitala Marsh who read and pasted Tusiata Avia's wonderful poem poster “Nafanua, the Samoan War Goddess, talks about going to Washington DC."
Now we were in the swing of things... Stephen Oliver read and pasted his poem “The Great Repression”. Paula Green read and pasted Mariana Isara's “Self portrait as Anything from the album: your body above me”. Ben Daniels read and pasted Gerald Stern's “Roses”. Jack Ross read and pasted current NZ poet Laureate Cilla McQueen's “Anthems”. Sasha Norrie read and pasted Michael Palma's “Ray Charles at the Copa” Greg Kan read and pasted Bill Manhire's “The Sick Son”. Zara B McGunnigle read a selection of her own work. Ben Brown read and pasted Roy Smiths “Hashish flip-flops & rockets” Martin Edmond read from his book “The Thousand Ruby Galaxy” & Jordan Luck read and Pasted Chris Knox's “Becoming Something Other”.
To conclude the evening, the talented Otis Mace played a selection of protest songs & book and poster giveaways followed.
Thanks to all the Poets, Michele Leggott & Tim Biggs from the OGH for making the evening possible.
Comments
"It's a fantastic idea, posting words up on walls, and Phantom Billstickers are doing it with great love."
Otis Mace