Lyrics as Poetry?

Can you identify who these poets are? The first to post the correct answer (to my blog comments) gets extra credit.

Today’s Post

As we begin our unit on poetry, I can already hear the mutterings from the guys, “Oh, crap, I don’t do poetry. Are we going to have to write about our feelings?”

So let’s not start out with poetry, but something a little more safe.

I’d like you to think about a song you are familiar with that has good lyrics, and that you consider poetic. I know music is a very personal form of media, and this is rather subjective. So do you best.

Important: I cannot emphasize this enough, please FOCUS ON THE WORDS THEMSELVES, NOT THE INSTRUMENTS AND BEATS.

Use the following format:

1. I’d like you to find the lyrics to your song online, and post them into your blog. (Giving credit as to the title of the song, and the artist.) Make this look nice.

Optional: You can post a link to a youtube video of your song, or upload an mp3 to your blog.

2. Next, I’d like you to identify three specific parts of your song which you consider poetic. Identify them here:

A.

B.

C.

3. Next, for each of the three previously mentioned parts (specific lines) you considered poetic, I’d like you to articulate what, specifically, makes it good. In other words, what is going on in your text that you admire? (Think about: the kind of rhyme used, technical merits, the message conveyed, the way you connect to the poem, sonic qualities, unexpected or double meanings etc.)

1.

2.

3.

When you are done with your post, paste your lyrics into a word document and get it down to 1 page maximum.  Include the artist and your name on your lyrics, and turn this in TODAY to be eligible to play your song for extra credit tomorrow. (I need the lyrics Tuesday to have them printed in time for class on Wednesday.)

And just for fun…

Kehinde Wiley

Some information about the artist:
“Kehinde Wiley’s paintings incorporate a range of art historical and vernacular styles, from French rococo to today’s urban street. Wiley collapses history and style into a unique contemporary vision. He describes his approach as “interrogating the notion of the master painter, at once critical and complicit.” He makes figurative paintings that “quote historical sources and position young black men within that field [of power].”

Spend a few minutes investigating the works of Kehinde Wiley. Try to locate Baroque or French Rococo images that he may have been drawing on for original poses.

For Today’s Post, respond to the following questions:

1. What kind of message does Wiley’s work convey to you personally?

2. Using images and words, create a post that explains your reaction to his work.

Also, we will have two digital cameras in class today, so feel free to use them to create an avatar if you haven’t done so already, or to try to recreate your own Kehinde Wiley-inspired pose (to post to your blog).

Great job on the first writing jobs you have completed! I have seen many of you make huge leaps as writers.

Who is Banksy?

The British street artist who goes by the nom de plume of Banksy has enjoyed quite a reputation in the mainstream media. His secret identity and his willingness to put his art up in public spaces, often without permission to do so, has no doubt contributed to his allure and notoriety. Taking on many aspects of modern society, Banksy’s art is often meant to provoke and poke fun at the powers that be. Here are a few samples:

(This one is one of many he did on the Isreali/Palestinian Separation wall.)

(This one was put up without permission in the British Museum, it is now part of the permanent collection.)

For your second post, I’d like you to comment on:

1. What is your reaction to Bansky’s pieces? What are they saying? Do you agree or disagree with them? Why?

2. Is graffiti art? Is tagging a building? Why do you think writers and artists often use pen names and go by alternate personas?

3. To what extent do you think it is important to put your work in the public?

Take a few minutes to articulate your ideas, then check in with what others had to say, and leave some comments.

Feel free to add to your blog in whatever way you want to, in terms of additional images, links, other thoughts you have (about the class, or otherwise). Or challenge yourself to put up something creative you have done personally, whether a song you wrote, a piece of art you created, a photo you took that you are proud of, or something else that allows you to express yourself.

Throughout the term, I encourage you to continue to make your blog your own. And since this is creative writing, feel free to share comments on authors and artists you have been inspired by.

Up and Running

Let me welcome the (Liepa) Creative Writers to this site.

I will be posting to this site to disseminate information for class, and to serve as a forum to post and respond to topics that come up in class. You can leave me comments, and from your own blog you can leave comments for others.

One place to start exploring is a creative commons list of noteworthy sites that are related to creative writing, photography, film, and diverse media and music artists that are currently doing something that goes beyond the ordinary:

http://del.icio.us/dliepa

Today, I’d like you to practice posting to your blog. What I’d like you to focus on is a photographer or other visual artist that speaks to you in some way. Find an image (using google images, or by visiting other sites). I’d like you to copy the image and post it to your blog (giving credit where the image came from, if it did not come from you).

Take a few minutes to articulate what you like about the image or the artist (if you post several images). What makes the artist effective? What message are they trying to convey? How is it meaningful to you, personally.

When you are done, find at least 3 other students in class to add to your blogroll. Read their comments, and post a thoughtful response to at least one other person in this or the other creative writing class.

Lastly, please write your blog address down and give a copy to me by the end of the block.