Thursdays 7-9pm: 10 sessions begin February 6th
Ron Padgett referred to his translating Pierre Reverdy’s Prose Poems as a “useful illusion,” which aptly describes how translation is simultaneously an impossible and essential art. While the transfer of a poem from one language to another will never be exact (not in the least!), the process of doing so pries open tongue, ear and head to the diversity of possibilities. This will be a hands-on, nuts-and-bolts workshop where we will fearlessly render poems from one language to another. While fluency in two languages is not required, an interest and/or working knowledge will be appreciated. We will also read translations of and by poets of various eras and areas, and enjoy class visits by working translators.
Marcella Durand has translated poems by Michèle Métail, Charles Baudelaire, Marcel Proust, and others. She is currently working on a book-length alexandrine, titled In This World of 12 Months.
This workshop is part of The Poetry Project’s “Workshop Residency” at Dixon Place and will meet at 161 Chrystie Street New York, NY 10002 – a short walk from the Project. Dixon Place was founded to provide a space for literary and performing artists to create and develop new works in front of a live audience. Our mutual interest in supporting the development of new work/work in progress makes it an ideal partnership!