Off-concrete: Scottish poetry and the legacy of concrete with Dorothy Alexander & Nick-e Melville

Nick-e Melville and Dorothy Alexander give readings and talk on the relationship of their work to concrete poetry, followed by an audience discussion, led by Greg Thomas.

Set in the context of our current exhibition Beauty, Happiness and Play: Edwin Morgan, Ian Hamilton Finlay & UK Concrete Poetry.

Join us for a glass of wine and to look at the exhibition. Curator Greg Thomas will be on hand to answer your questions.

This event will explore and celebrate the legacy of the 1960s vanguard of Scottish and UK concrete poetry in the work of contemporary Scottish poets, through readings and talks by two prominent Scottish writers working in the field of visual verse, Nick-e Melville and Dorothy Alexander, as well as an open-floor discussion. It is being held to coincide with, and complement, the exhibition ‘Happiness, Beauty and Play: Edwin Morgan, Ian Hamilton Finlay and UK Concrete Poetry’, on display at the Scottish Poetry Library until the end of February.

The evening will begin with a brief introductory talk linking the work of the two participating poets to that on display in the exhibition. Both poets will then give readings of 15-25 minutes, followed by informal ten minute presentations on how they feel their work is influenced by, or responds to, concrete poetry of the 1960s, particularly from Scotland and the UK. The floor will then be opened for discussion for around 45 minutes.

All are welcome, and the event is free. 

Category: discussion, exhibition launches, exhibitions, live readings