The City

Stav Poleg's debut collection of poems, "The City," explores the essence of cities through her unique perspective, comparing and contrasting London, New York, and Rome. The poems are filled with motion and constraint, challenging the gravity that pulls them down the page. Poleg's collaboration with fellow artists and poets adds depth to her work, and her poems seamlessly blend art and invention in various modes and ages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd

Stav Poleg's poems delve into the essence of cities, exploring their contents and the gaps that exist within them. These poems perceive cities as living entities, akin to human beings, with their own unique characteristics and shortcomings. The City: London, New York, London, New York, Rome serves as a focal point for Poleg's exploration, as she examines these cities through the lens of their urban landscapes and inhabitants.

In her debut collection, La Citta / e la Casa, Poleg presents the city as a multifaceted entity, akin to a mosaic of rivers and streets. Each city is portrayed as a distinct entity, with its own set of characteristics and nuances. The poems in this collection offer a captivating journey through various cities, revealing their unique identities and capturing the essence of urban life.

Poleg's poems are deeply rooted in the concept of motion and its limitations. Through her skillful use of technique, she challenges the gravitational force that pulls her words down the page, creating a sense of momentum and energy. Her poems subvert the ordinary, questioning what we perceive and how we perceive it. They invite us to explore the world with a broader sense of awareness, encompassing not only our visual senses but also our auditory and semantic faculties.

Poleg's poems also engage with the worlds of art and invention in fascinating ways. She explores the interplay between language and visual art, creating a dialogue between the two mediums. Her collaborative work with fellow artists and poets further amplifies this exploration, as seen in her graphic-novel installation, Dear Penelope: Variations on an August Morning, created in partnership with artist Laura Gressani. This installation was acquired by the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in 2014, showcasing Poleg's ability to blend poetry and visual art seamlessly.

In conclusion, Stav Poleg's debut collection, La Citta / e la Casa, is a remarkable exploration of the city as a living entity. Through her poetic lens, she unveils the complexities and contradictions of urban life, offering a fresh perspective on the world we inhabit. Her poems are a testament to the power of language and the ability of art to transcend boundaries, inviting us to engage with the world in new and exciting ways.

Weight: 166g
Dimension: 134 x 216 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800172371