Is SHE Available?

R.Nott Magazine Issue #18 – 07.2015 Is She Available? Review by Vinicius F. Barth: It’s been at least four years since I noticed that there’s something bugging me about Poetry. It’s hard to define what it is, but I can begin slowly, going around the corners of our own inaptitude to go on, stylistically speaking. Like a quest to write verses that go by the book of poetry’s versed man in this land, an invisible law dictates what is written in the new circles and what is published. That is, what is believed to be acceptable as poetry. I do not see it pushing the boundaries in any way, as it is closely attached to the mandatory social issues, to urban tragedies, to the post-war traumas (!), to the professedly surreal nonsense, the contemporary solitude – those being some of the well accepted themes. Moreover, this is what I see as most important: we are not even close to make use of what technology and new kinds of communication have to offer. And this takes me to Igor Goldkind’s poetry (and something else) book: Is She Available?, recently published by Chameleon Editions in USA. Goldkind is well known for his work with digital media and for the spread of the term “graphic novel” in the early 90’s. He studied philosophy, freelanced as a political journalist, studied with Foucault and wrote for the Judge Dredd Magazine and 2000 AD. (a quick peek in wikipedia should tell you a lot about him). And here I am, talking about his poetry book. A book entirely illustrated by people like Bill Sienkiewicz (Daredevil, Elektra) and David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), and many others. For a poetry (and comics) reader, this is quite an impact. Is She Available? takes you to a visual ride that leaves its marks. From the very beginning, you are told where you are: “you are here”. You’re told what images, words and sounds are all about. The book has a proposal, defined motifs and an oracular admonition. Step into the book with open eyes and the Abyss will speak to you. Its voice comes next, and the book starts. It’s indeed a different approach from what I’m used to see in poetry books around here, but I find it quite soothing to have a guiding voice: it’s also easy to get lost among so many visual references and constructions. From lyric poems to poems that are almost pure form experiences, there’s a lot to read and understand, from the Greek mythology to the contemporary-us, aside from the universe of things to see. You can guide yourself through the themes by remembering the proposition made by the poet himself in the opening: you know there are some aspects he’s trying to approach here. (this works, I think, but be prepared to face all kinds of poetic forms mixed together). And I can say, peacefully, that poems like ‘Just this’, with the superb illustration by DIX, make worth the price you pay for the book. The experience is intensified with the whole set that comes together. That is: Jazz (the music was composed exclusively for the book, by Gilad Atzmon ; recorded readings of poetry; video and animation; and many many images, that go from photography and abstract painting to the essential comic narrative. Some of the constructions of the text, apart from the poetic value, are aesthetically beautiful, merging Goldkind’s text with the visual composition of the drawing, which happens, for instance, Apart from that, I have to enrich the creative work of so many artists over a poetry book, like if it was a movie or a music album. The state-of-the-art technology for an e-book is amazing (I couldn’t open it myself in my PC, because I’m still so lo-tech), and brings this kind of literature to a new level, which has to be seen with considerate eyes by the poetic and academic circles.

My childhood friend Igor Goldkind, along with some truly talented artists and musicians has come up with something unique and inspired here. Igor's words are deeply personal, but they speak to something that can touch us all. The text dances, the music swings, and the art pull you into and illuminates the words.

Best book I've read in a while. Love the artwork and typography -- perfect for the poetry. The book really made me think twice about what is important in life and in this world. Great read, a little a day goes a long way. Each poem is to be savored.