Poetics of Liveliness: Molecules, Fibers, Tissues, Clouds

Poetry can act as an aesthetic amplification device, akin to a microscope, through which we can sense minute or nearly imperceptible phenomena such as the folding of molecules into their three-dimensional shapes, the transformations that make up the life cycle of a silkworm, or the vaporous movements that constitute the ever-shifting edges of clouds. Twentieth- and twenty-first-century writers have intermingled scientific methodologies with poetic form to reveal unfolding processes of change, envisioning their works as laboratories within which the methodologies of experimentation, natural historical description, and taxonomic classification allow poetic language to register the rhythms and durations of material transformation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Poetry has the remarkable ability to act as an aesthetic amplification device, akin to a microscope, enabling us to perceive minute or nearly imperceptible phenomena such as the folding of molecules into their three-dimensional shapes, the intricate transformations that constitute the life cycle of a silkworm, and the ephemeral movements that define the ever-shifting edges of clouds. It is a misconception that these subjects are solely the domain of science, as demonstrated by the insightful arguments of Ada Smailbegović. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, writers have skillfully intertwined scientific methodologies with poetic form to unveil the intricate processes of change. These works can be imagined as Laboratories, where experimentation, natural historical description, and taxonomic classification serve as tools for poetic language to capture the rhythms and durations of material transformation.

Poetics of Liveliness delves into the realms of molecules, fibers, tissues, and clouds, exploring a range of works that push the boundaries of artistic expression. It examines the captivating examples of Christian Böks, who inserted a poetic text into the DNA code of living bacteria, resulting in a new poem that takes the form of a protein molecule. Jen Bervins explores the fascinating world of silk fibers and their potential applications in biomedicine, shedding light on their medical significance and their influence on the literary taxonomies of character. Gertrude Stein's profound examination of brain tissues during her medical school years and its subsequent impact on her literary taxonomies of character is also examined. Furthermore, Lisa Robertsons studies of nineteenth-century meteorology and the soft architecture of clouds provide a unique perspective on the interplay between physical processes and the dynamic nature of lively material worlds.

Through their exploration of these diverse subjects, Smailbegović argues that these poets have developed a distinctive materialist poetics. This poetics, akin to Lucretiuss "On the Nature of Things," begins at the atomic level and expands out to encompass the vastness of the universe. Poetics of Liveliness offers an innovative cosmology, providing a fresh perspective on the relationship between art, science, and the natural world. By transcending traditional boundaries, poetry becomes a powerful tool for understanding and appreciating the intricate tapestry of life.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231198271