Writing by choice or by chance
Responding to The aleatory object
with poet Maureen Hynes
Saturday, June 4, 5pm–7:30pm
University of Toronto Art Centre and University College Quad
The original Greek meaning of the term ekphrasis is simply “description,” but now often carries the meaning of the use of one art form or object to respond to another. An aleatoric process is the use of chance or a random, intuitive process in music or art.
This workshop will begin with a brief walkthrough of The aleatory object by curator Shani K Parsons followed by an introduction, prompts, and guidance from poet Maureen Hynes for responding ekphrastically to any aspect of the exhibition. Participants will then, through their own writing, have ample time to explore their responses to looking, thinking, and engaging with the objects and images. We will conclude with an open (voluntary and non-judgmental) conversation on some of the associations, questions, and connections that participants make through this process, and consider some ways to sustain a writing practice in your life.
Please bring a journal or notebook to the workshop. As pens are not allowed in the gallery, pencils will be provided. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.
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About the Speaker
Maureen Hynes’s first poetry collection, Rough Skin, won the League of Canadian Poets’ Gerald Lampert Award for best first book of poetry by a Canadian. Her 2016 collection, The Poison Colour, was shortlisted for the League’s Pat Lowther and Raymond Souster Awards. Maureen’s fifth book of poetry, Sotto Voce, was a finalist for the Lowther Award and the Golden Crown Literary Award for lesbian writers (U.S.). Her poetry has been included in over 30 anthologies, including three times in Best Canadian Poems in English (2010, 2016 and 2020), and twice in Best of the Best Canadian Poetry (2017 and 2021).
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Title and Page Image: Curator’s process sketches and images for The aleatory object, 2021–2022.
