Auguries of Innocence is the first book of poetry from Patti Smith in more than a decade. It marks a major accomplishment from a poet and performer who has inscribed her vision of our world in powerful anthems, ballads, and lyrics. In this intimate and searing collection of poems, Smith joins in that great tradition of troubadours, journeymen, wordsmiths, and artists who respond to the world around them in fresh and original language. Her influences are eclectic and striking: Blake, Rimbaud, Picasso, Arbus, and Johnny ...
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Auguries of Innocence is the first book of poetry from Patti Smith in more than a decade. It marks a major accomplishment from a poet and performer who has inscribed her vision of our world in powerful anthems, ballads, and lyrics. In this intimate and searing collection of poems, Smith joins in that great tradition of troubadours, journeymen, wordsmiths, and artists who respond to the world around them in fresh and original language. Her influences are eclectic and striking: Blake, Rimbaud, Picasso, Arbus, and Johnny Appleseed. Smith is an American original; her poems are oracles for our times. Smith curated the Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England during June 2005 - one of the most successful Meltdown Festivals ever held, with virtually every event sold out. The performers included Tilda Swinton, Miranda Richardson, London Sinfonietta, and Tuvan throat-singing group and Patti Smith singing her debut album Horses (album) in its entirety, the first time she has ever done so. This live performance was released as Horses Horses.
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Add this copy of Auguries of Innocence to cart. $13.99, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2008 by Ecco Press.
Smith and editors may call this poetry, however, it resembles unedited, muddled daily entries into a diary. In comparison to her songs -- several of her CDs fill my collection -- this books offers little in the way of nuanced insights on her state of mind. "The artist," according to Walter Gropius (1883-1969), "is only a craftsman of a higher order." That was not evident. As Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) believed, "The works are what matters, and it is through the works that are known the artist." Smith remains an enigma in this tome.
