Introduction to Concrete Poetry

WRITING 731.2E

Learn to write poetry whose shape on the page brings additional meaning or resonance to the work.

What you can learn

Learn about the vibrant history of concrete poetry, including examples of this poetic style
Discover ways to think about poetry beyond only its sound or lineation by bringing a new meaningful element to the work
Imagine how poetry can occupy physical spaces by developing a specific physical form for it to occupy
Generate drafts of concrete poems based on prompts and discussion

About this course:

The tradition of “concrete poetry” saw 1950’s poets influenced by design to create works that used words to tell a visual story, influenced by their sound and wordplay. We’ll follow these poets to create our own poems that MUST be seen to be understood — and think about poems beyond the page, as performance texts, or plaques on buildings. We will explore what it means to write a poem that is meant to be more than read. We’ll look at poems and do a series of generative prompts to craft a few “sketches” of poems.

Summer 2023 Schedule

July 8

Saturday 12:00PM - 3:00PM PT

Future Offering (Opens June 24, 2023 12:00:00 AM)

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Instructor: Brian Sonia-Wallace

392238

Remote

Location: UCLA X Open

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Notes

Enrollment opens two weeks prior to the event. Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. As such, instructors use Zoom to offer a live class meeting at the designated time. Students must be present at the course meeting time to participate in the class.

Course Requirements

Internet access required to access course materials.

Schedule

Type

Date

Time

Location

Discussion

Sat Jul 8, 2023

12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT

UCLA X Open