Dalai Lama

Freedom to Tibet and long live the Dalai Lama and his wisdom and love.
May we all support Tibet and the Dalai Lama in this time of great transition.
This is the portal.
See a recent statement from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on todays' www.throughstones.wordpress.com

IN PERSON 30 Poets a DVD-book

In about a month to the day the above project from Bloodaxe Books will be launched in Dublin, Eire.
It is very exciting and I am not sure what to expect. This is a new concept in poetry book publishing and it will be interesting to see how the audience will respond. It is good that it will be launched in Dublin since the oral/aural tradition continues to be very strong, practised and appreciated in Ireland.
Basically, we, I as the film-maker and Neil Astley as the editor, will present a selection of readings on DVD from the 30 poets as a screening of 40 mins, then field comments and questions from the audience as well as have a panel discussion with "experts". I certainly hope there will be a poet or two present for sure.
To celebrate Bloodaxe Books thirtieth anniversary they are publishing an anthology of 30 of their poets along with a DVD of the poets reading their work. You can read the poems then view them or use the book and DVD in which ever way works for you.
The poets are filmed as if they were reading to you personally, hence the title, often in their own homes and writing rooms. In Neil Astley's words "It is like having your own private poetry festival at home"!
Poetry Ireland is organising the event taking place on Wednesday April 23rd 2008.
If you are in Dublin at the time please come!
See their website, under LINKS, for more information.
Visit www.bloodaxebooks.com and click on poetry videos to get a sense of the project.
IN PERSON 30 Poets will be available from April onwards from amazon.co.uk

From one storm to another

Lamar Peterson "Rope" 2008, his new work is now on view at Richard Heller Gallery in Santa Monica, Los Angeles.
If you cannot see the show itself do look at the website. This new body of work; paintings and collages are unbeliveable. Truly fantastical surreally real. A world akin to Hieronymous Bosch.
Congratulations Lamar! I am psycho/ed.

Easter and the winter storm

This spring equinox under the full moon brought a winter snow storm over the British Isles. Time to cosy up with hot cocoa, candles and a visit with the Moomin family!
When I need comforting I visit them. They are such wonderful, wise and cosy beings.
This Easter we are buried in snow and the cats are indoors.
There has been a watershed turning point in my life and those dearest to me which arrived with the equinox.
It is a welcome change and long in the coming.
Now is a time for reflection and re-evaluation.
Happy Easter to you!

Vernal Equinox

Dear Anthony Minghella

This is a beautiful photo of Anthony Minghella in Buenos Aires in 2000.
I am saddened and shocked by the news of his untimely death yesterday in London at the age of 54. It is a great loss to all who knew and loved him and were touched by his work and person.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Let us celebrate his life and work and love of poetry!

Al - Hamra, Al - Andalus

The Red Fortress, a Moorish fortified palace in Andalucia, in the south of Spain.
I am very excited about this place at present and hoping to be able to visit soon.
The pomegranate is the symbol of Granada. Cut one in half then in quarters and the complexity of the seeds of the interior and the red red juice is quite a sight and related I believe to this very experience.
Imtiaz Dharker has written an extraordinary poem through the symbolism of the cutting of a pomegranate, using it as a metaphor to talk about our contemporary situation in the Middle East. A very powerful work.
See the website www.bloodaxebooks.com and view the trailer for In Person 30 Poets.