Languages of poetry (2014)

The idea of intertwining poetry with music is an age-old endeavor—not groundbreaking, perhaps, but undeniably magnetic. It has been explored by many before, either originating for a specific literary piece or borrowed from a known source (always mindful of ownership rights). Despite its history, this approach remains a captivating way to unveil one’s artistic endeavors. More than just a presentation style, this fusion can profoundly influence the way poetry is crafted, guided by the unique sounds resonating in one’s mind.

For me, the connection with spoken word and melody has been a lifelong exploration. I’ve been recording my voice—whether in the act of reading or singing—since my earliest memories. These auditory expressions have found a stage in several intimate performances, allowing me to share my inner world through voice and verse.

In 2014, during my Artist in Residency program in Graz, a beautiful revelation unfolded. Fellow artists in the program happened to speak the very languages into which my poetry had been translated. Seizing this serendipitous alignment, I approached them to breathe life into my verses in English, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Romanian, and Serbian. The project came alive through the voices of Ada Kobusiewicz, Ulla Sladek, Stefanie Hödelmoser, Irina Bujor, and Mar Vicente. Upon my return to Serbia, Anna Rostokina (also a translator) and Ainsley Morse added their voices in Russian and English, respectively. Armed with a SONY voice recorder and the Sony Sound Forge & Vegas programs, I personally undertook the production, weaving the recorded voices into a symphony with music.

As the residency program drew to a close, all participating artists were invited to contribute to a final exhibition named “Future.” It was in this setting that I chose to unveil my art with an additional installation—a sensory experience merging voice, text, and space. The centerpiece was an audio CD titled “Languages of Poetry.” I meticulously printed the poems in the aforementioned languages, hanging them like clothes on a line. A small mp3 recorder nestled on the wall, accompanied by headphones and surrounded by CDs containing 24 intimate audio recordings. Visitors were not only free to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of languages and poetry but also had the liberty to take a piece of it home—a CD that resonated with their soul.

This project stands as a testament of the ever-evolving dance between poetry and music.