20 poems of love and one desperate song 04-05

This is a series of 21 prints. The complete work is based on Pablo Neruda’s book of poetry, ‘Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair’. A line was taken from each poem in its original spanish transcription and through the use of an online translation engine was translated into english. Each line was selected based on its metaphor and the reference to a colour or emotion and specificallly because Neruda is known for his use of metaphors. A metaphor translated literally online brings to mind the difficulty and possibilities of poetic translation and that the beauty of Neruda’s language can be found through the simplest of means.

Pictured above is an image of 4 prints. Ideally this work, with all 21 prints would be hung horizontally and would span a distance of 357 inches.

The work is a companion piece to ‘20 love poems and a song of despair (opera)’ a sound and light video installation. For more details see that description.

archival ink on archival paper
dimensions each 11” x 17