The Brooklyn Rail

WE LOVE JOHN GIORNO

By Laura Hoptman and Mónica de la Torre

Ugo Rondinone: I ♥ John Giorno is a sprawling, multipart exhibition that presents the extraordinary life and work of poet, artist, activist, and muse John Giorno. Encompassing nine nonprofit venues around Manhattan and a total of fifteen partnering institutions, the exhibition features paintings, films, sound installations, drawings, archival presentations, performances, and a video environment by both Giorno himself as well as by others whom he has inspired.

EDITOR'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

By Mónica de la Torre and Laura Hoptman

The editors would like to thank Ugo Rondinone, John Giorno, and Phong Bui for the invitation to edit a special issue of The Brooklyn Rail to be published in conjunction with the multi-part exhibition I ♥ John Giorno.

Fear as a Machine

By Mónica de la Torre

I’m afraid flea markets are the same all over the world. I’m afraid beaches are too. I’m afraid nudist ones are no exception.

The Script

By Mónica de la Torre

I.   You thought this would be a dance lesson, things were easier then. No marimbas, no clarinets; only a longing for the fun to begin. Rain came down.

In Conversation

Bob Holman with Monica de la Torre

Monica de la Torre: When did you start publishing? Bob: In 1968 I sent in a clutch of poems to Rolling Stone. They published “Grandmothers.” My first book was published in… well, here it is. Tear to Open, Power Mad Books, 1979.

I was having a flashback.

By Mónica de la Torre

Mónica de la Torre works with and between languages. Her latest book, The Happy End/All Welcome, was published by Ugly Duckling Presse, which also put out her translation of Defense of the Idol by Chilean modernist Omar Cáceres in 2018. Repetition Nineteen, her new book of poems, is forthcoming from Nightboat in 2020.