The History of Breathing (Allison Grimaldi Donahue)

The Etruscan language knew no blank spaces, no breaks between words-its texture resembled an uninterrupted flow of speech; more singing than speaking, form rather than content. Only in the dictum of the pause, the meaningful fragmentation of the breath and the staccato of the Atemwende (Paul Celan) does language become comprehensible rhythmic expression.

In a world full of slogans and catchphrases, Allison Grimaldi Donahue defends the poetological demand of Sound over Content! The History of Breathing weaves linguistics and poetry, verse and song, meaning and sound into a dense narrative about breathing, rhythm, and the gaps in language that allow words to take on meaning in the first place.

In the tradition of poets such as Charles Olsen, Alice Notley and Sappho, Grimaldi Donahues poetry connects the history of breath and language with narratives about the discovery and loss of our own voice.

Allison Grimaldi Donahue Allison Grimaldi Donahue arbeitet zwischen Poetik und Performance und erforscht, wie sich Sprache und Text zwischen individueller und kollektiver Erfahrung bewegen. Sie ist Autorin von Body to Mineral und On Endings und Übersetzerin von Blown Away von Vito M. Bonito und Self-portrait von Carla Lonzi. Aktuell arbeitet sie an einem Projekt über das Werk der Autorin Alice Ceresa. Ihre Performances entstehen häufig in Kooperation mit Museen wie Almanac Turin, MACRO, MAMbo, Fondazione Giuliani, Kunsthalle Bern, Hangar Biccoca und Flip Napoli. Sie lebt in Bologna.

Buch (Paperback), Englisch, 56 Seiten