The Beat Aesthetic: Why We Need it Today

Bay Area Public School and East Bay Poets House sponsor a new writing workshop series, The Beat Aesthetic and Why We Need it Today.

In the 1950s and 60s Beat Generation writers developed a robust version of Modernism while, at the same time, their social identity was wildly popular. By separating out the social persona we’ll be able to focus more clearly on the aesthetic. We’ll discover how Modernism and Beat directness are cornerstone strategies for understanding ourselves and the contemporary world. Join us for the first of several workshops where Beat writing will be explored. Students will be encouraged to present other Beat writers and propose how they contribute. We’ll also point out ways that the Beat aesthetic energized and evolved into activism, feminism, Rap, Hip-hop, and Spoken Word. In each class we’ll find time to practice bringing Beat and Modernist sensibilities into our own writing and workshop our efforts in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere.

Join poet and writing teacher Clive Matson who began his writing career as a poet among the Beat Generation in 1960s Greenwich Village. He was mentored and influenced by Allen Ginsberg, John Wieners, Diane di Prima and Herbert Huncke. He is the author of nine volumes of poetry and has been a creative writing teacher for 40 years.

The series is drop in, the second Saturday of most months and the student can take one or more of the classes. This will be a continuing series. $5.00 or any donation.