Yesterday I visited UWE's Centre for Fine Print Research where Sarah Bodman and Angie Butler put on an exhibition of artist's books and readings from 'Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here' to commemorate the booksellers of Al-Mutanabbi Street. The book was edited by Deema Shehabi, poet and writer and Beau Beausoleil poet and bookseller and founder of Al-Mutanabbi Street Coalition.
Typesetting & printing in the letterpress studio
In the letterpress printing studio, poet and letterpress printer Dennis Gould and book designer Lucy Guenot typeset and printed Dennis’s poem 'Book Stall Blues' dedicated to the booksellers of Al-Mutanabbi Street. Lucy invited me to help artists Pam and Charlotte typeset Jeff Cloves poem 'The Street of the Poet Al Mutanabbi' with a mix of type in 18pt.
'A Valentine for New Albion' & 'Book Stall Blues'
Thank you to Jeff who kindly gave me a copy of his poem 'A Valentine for New Albion' originally printed on his typewriter and to Dennis who gave me a beautiful print of his letterpress poem 'Book Stall Blues' printed on handmade paper. And thanks to Lucy who invited me to take part typesetting the poem.
Reading from Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here
Thanks to Angie and Sarah for inviting me to join in the readings from 'Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here' Their mission was to spend the day reading every single poem and piece of writing in the book and it was an honour to be part of that.
For more information about the book 'Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here' visit http://www.al-mutanabbistreetstartshere-boston.com/
