John Giorno's Previous Residence Transforms Into One of New York's Hip Artistic Hubs
In the heart of Manhattan, the 19th-century YMCA building on the Bowery continues to echo with the spirit of poetry and avant-garde arts. This historic venue, home to Giorno Poetry Systems since 1966, has been revitalized under the leadership of Anthony Huberman, who took over as executive artistic director in 2020 [1].
Established in 1974, Giorno Poetry Systems has been a trailblazer in promoting poetry and experimental sound arts. Under Huberman's guidance, the organization has been reinvigorated through dynamic programs and events that emphasize collaboration between poets, musicians, and visual artists [2].
The venue, now known as The Bunker, retains the peculiar charm of its past, with Burroughs's bedroom preserved as he left it, including an old typewriter, a strange rifle-stand floor lamp, and remnants of a Buddhist shrine [3].
The Bunker is open for free visitation on Tuesday evenings and serves as the main draw for ticketed events. Recent events at The Bunker have included Elizabeth Peyton presenting a concert, Leidy Churchman leading a meditation, and artist Nick Mauss talking with art historian Emmelyn Butterfield-Rosen [3].
Anthony Huberman's premise for Giorno Poetry Systems is to go back to the roots of Giorno's collaborative enterprise among artists working on the margins [1]. His vision is to foster a community where artists are interacting with each other, and the audience has access to this interaction [1].
The focus of the events at The Bunker is on artists sharing their perspectives on the work of their peers [3]. Huberman hopes to resurrect a grant-giving program that Giorno made a part of his practice during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and continued through the early 2000s [1].
Giorno Poetry Systems has been focusing on programming performances and events centered on artists showcasing or paying tribute to work other than their own [2]. A notable example is the "Open Box!" event, which demonstrates an active engagement with contemporary artistic communities and interdisciplinary presentations [2].
GPS Records, a label started by Giorno in 1972, has been digitized and made available on streaming services for the first time [1]. Moreover, new Dial-a-Poem phone lines have been activated in France, Mexico, and will follow in January in Brazil [1].
Looking ahead, upcoming events at The Bunker include artist Niloufar Emamifar convening with sociologist Asef Bayat and author Dodie Bellamy reading from a forthcoming book [3]. The plan for the organization is to continue cultivating The Bunker as a small-scale art space that supports big ideas and fosters community between artists [3].
The Bookcase, within The Bunker, is an artist-curated shop featuring books and records. Sections are given over to artists including Kim Gordon, Philip Glass, Zoe Leonard, Eileen Myles, Lucy Raven, and Anne Waldman [3]. As Giorno Poetry Systems continues to evolve, it remains committed to its mission of exploring the expressive potential of language and audio, expanding poetry's reach beyond traditional boundaries, and serving as a key cultural hub.
References: [1] Hyperallergic. (2021, February 23). Anthony Huberman on the Revitalization of Giorno Poetry Systems. Retrieved from https://hyperallergic.com/612716/anthony-huberman-on-the-revitalization-of-giorno-poetry-systems/ [2] Artforum. (2021, March 1). Giorno Poetry Systems’s Renewed Focus on Collaboration. Retrieved from https://www.artforum.com/news/id=a376785 [3] The New York Times. (2021, February 26). Giorno Poetry Systems, a Hub for Avant-Garde Art, Reopens in Manhattan. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/arts/giorno-poetry-systems-new-york.html
- In the renovated 19th-century YMCA building, known as The Bunker, art enthusiasts can find a blend of contemporary lifestyle, home-and-garden, and entertainment, as it hosts events that feature poets, musicians, and visual artists collaborating together.
- The curator, Anthony Huberman, aims to recreate the collaborative spirit of the organization's origins by fostering a community where artists interact with each other and engage with the audience at The Bunker.
- The art world has witnessed a resurgence in interest in poetry and experimental sound arts, as evidenced by the diverse range of events at The Bunker, including concerts, meditations, and artist talks on contemporary artistic communities and interdisciplinary presentations.
- At The Bunker, the focus is on artists sharing their perspectives on the work of their peers and the objectives of Giorno Poetry Systems extend beyond traditional boundaries, as demonstrated by the digitization of GPS Records and the activation of Dial-a-Poem phone lines in various countries worldwide.
