Born in a deeply divided America by a failure to understand its own power, Allen would go on to lead one of the most prominent movements in the world when it came to the power of the written word. A world-renowned Beat Generation poet, photographer and composer, his name remains crucial not only to the pursuit of cultural and spiritual freedom, but also to the tireless defence of civil, LGBTQIA+ and human rights.
From denouncing sexual repression in 1950s America to protesting against the Vietnam War (he was, after all, the one who coined the term “Flower Power”). Allen consistently pushed his voice and his work to the limits of what was permitted. From his opposition to censorship and ecological destruction in the United States, Allen inspired and influenced artists and activists around the world, and continues to do so today. This is why we must continue to celebrate him. In an era still marked by authoritarian leaders, and at a time when many young people feel uncertain about their ability to bring about meaningful social change, Allen Ginsberg’s historic poems feel as relevant today as they did when they were first written.
Margarida Albuquerque’s photography book With the Absolute Heart of the Poem of Life, published 12 years ago, was and remains a timeless celebration of the written word and art as forms of intervention. Over the course of almost three years, these images captured Portuguese artists; including Nuno Melo, Ana Bacalhau, Rita Redshoes, Pedro Barroso, Katharina Franck and Charles Sangnoir, reimagining through photography not only poems by Ginsberg, but also the work of those who formed part of this generation. The book celebrates major figures such as William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, while also remembering others who have almost been erased by time, including Gregory Corso, Diane di Prima, Amiri Baraka, Elise Cowen and Joyce Johnson. All of them companions in Ginsberg’s adventures and misadventures.
In this Spoken Word session, we will be joined by artists whose sensibilities convey the force with which these poems were written: the sharp voice of Fuse, member of the legendary Dealema; the futuristic and multifaceted Emmy Curl; the outspoken actress Maria Leite; the extraordinarily creative Ana Amaral; and the sublime writer Ana Leorne.
Together, we will celebrate the principle at the heart of the book: that every generation, in its own way, seeks to leave a legacy through the effort, work and sacrifices of the generation that came before, so that there may be a future.
