Notness : the launch

On Wednesday 11 November, in the Milstein Seminar Rooms in Cambridge University Library, at 5.30 p.m., the poet Richard Berengarten will give a reading to mark the launch of his latest book from Shearsman Books, <em>Notness</em>. The reading will integrate a short film based on the poems, made by French artist Geneviève Guetemme. This event also marks the acquisition of a large tranche of Richard’s archive by the University Library. Admission is free, with no advance booking required.

Notness is an accomplished sequence of ‘metaphysical’ poems which embeds an anagram in its title. The book has been acclaimed by both critics and fellow-poets; Anne Stevenson has called it ‘a tremendous piece of work, a rare achievement’, writing that ‘Berengarten belongs to the great tradition of Jewish poets that embraces Mandelstam and Celan. These remarkable sonnets are surely destined to endure.’ The cinematic commentary by Geneviève Guetemme offers a series of subtle and unexpected visual dimensions. Her interpretations of the poems, which will be exhibited here for the first time, are works of art in their own right. Poet and artist will both be available to answer questions about their work and their collaboration.

Richard Berengarten is an internationally celebrated poet who has lived in Italy, Greece, former Yugoslavia and the USA. His poetry has been translated into more than ninety languages. He is well-known locally as founder and organiser of many Cambridge-based poetry events, including the now-legendary Cambridge Poetry Festival (1975-1985), the Poets’ Meetings series at Corpus Christi College (2012-2014), and the first Xu Zhimo Poetry Festival at King’s College (2015), which he co-presented.

Geneviève Guetemme is an artist who works regularly with poets, for example, with Heather Dohollau. She does drawing and photography and has been working on collaborative projects. She is also a lecturer at the University of Orléans and her research explores the relationship between photography and literature.

Wine or soft drinks and light refreshments will be served from 5.00 p.m. Entry is free. The event forms part of the programme of the Friends of Cambridge University Library. For further information contact John Wells: 01223 333055 or e-mail jdw1000@cam.ac.uk.