Parataxis
Recently I learnt a new word. Phillip Davenport – in the introduction to ‘The Dark Would,’ a new anthology of language art – describes ‘parataxis’ as: “an archaic poetic technique found in haiku, which places two images side by side, allowing the reader to deduce their own conclusion.” This is a method pertinent to my work that I would probably previously have described simply as ‘juxtaposition.’ Though I don’t now intend to write ‘parataxis’ into my artist statement, it has made me think about how the same art practice may be contextualised or conceived of in different ways.
I am really pleased to have a piece of my artwork included in ‘The Dark Would’ alongside other artists, using language, whose work I admire and poets, working visually, whose work I know nothing about. This was one of Philip’s interests in compiling the anthology; to bring together artists using similar methods but perhaps drawing upon a different history or tradition. His thesis is that it is common for visual artists and poets not to be aware of each others’ similar practices. Certainly this is true in my case. Although I have some knowledge of concrete poetry and vispo, for example, poetry in general is largely outside my knowledge and experience. I’ve recently felt that this is a bit of a poor state of affairs, but not been quite sure how to begin to engage with a whole new field of materials.
These thoughts resonated with a conversation I had with a fellow creative. We were talking about what you can miss, because you are totally focussed on something else. When I look back at some of my early attempts to use text, the typography is terrible (and I’m not saying it’s brilliant now!) I was quite focused on the content of the language and neglected letter and line spacing, I just didn’t seem to notice them! He told me a funny story about putting on a gig in a tent, in a park, from afternoon to evening. They had been so concerned with sorting out the technicalities of sound that they completely forgot to get any lighting and had to hurry home to pick up desk and standard lamps.
