John Grandits is a very funny man, and he’s coming to the DMA! If you’ve found that sonnets, ballads, and Roman epics are too heavy for you, Mr. Grandits is here to make poetry downright concrete. If that sounds intimidating, it’s not—poetry can be a lot of fun. Grandits is a concrete poet, and he’s the author of two immensely enjoyable (and highly acclaimed) books for kids: Technically, It’s Not My Fault and Blue Lipstick. If you’re tired of Times New Roman and typing left to right, this is your kind of poetry. Grandits’ poems move in squiggly lines, travel up and down, and create pictures on the page. He uses fonts, shapes, textures, colors, and sometimes even motion.
If you would like to get a sense of his work, visit his Web site. It’s full of quirky photos, playful type, and a great poem about a beleaguered snake. If you’d like to do a little research, check out his books at the Dallas Public Library. John Grandits will be at the Museum March 18-20, a fantastic opportunity to learn about his work. Visit the Web site to learn about all the events Arts & Letters Live has planned for John Grandits’ visit to the DMA.
Justin Greenlee
McDermott Intern, Learning Partnerships Department