‘The Art of Ventriloquism’ (Open Workshop)
Originally, ventriloquism was a religious practice. The name comes from the Latin for to speak from the stomach, i.e. venter (belly) and loqui (speak). The noises produced by the stomach were thought to be the voices of the unliving, who took up residence in the stomach of the ventriloquist. The ventriloquist would then interpret the sounds, as they were thought to be able to speak to the dead, as well as foretell the future.
This Open Workshop with Clare Shaw looks at examples of ‘ventriloquism’ in contemporary poetry. Putting our mouths, hearts, stomachs and minds to work, we’ll read poets who have dug deep, spoken out and given voice to an array of inanimate objects, works of art and animals, as well as those who have projected their voices onto silenced people in mythology, social and personal history. We’ll identify the possibilities this opens up for us as writers and the practical strategies that we may draw on; and then we’ll have a go ourselves!
For more information and to book your place: http://campus.poetryschool.com/open-workshop-art-ventriloquism/
This is a private group. To join you must be a registered site member and request group membership.