John Giorno

John-Giorno

John Giorno (December 4, 1936 – October 11, 2019) was an American poet and performance artist. He is best known for his innovative contributions to the art of poetry and his involvement in the New York City art scene during the 1960s and 1970s. Giorno was a key figure in the development of performance poetry and was closely associated with the Beat Generation and the Pop Art movement.

Early Life and Education

John Giorno was born in New York City. He attended Columbia University, where he graduated in 1958. During his time at Columbia, he became acquainted with several prominent figures in the literary and art worlds, which influenced his later work.

Career

Poetry and Performance Art

Giorno's work is characterized by its experimental nature and its blending of different media. He was a pioneer in the use of audio recordings and telephone technology to disseminate poetry. In 1968, he founded Giorno Poetry Systems, an organization dedicated to promoting poetry through various media, including records, tapes, and video.

One of his most notable projects was the Dial-A-Poem service, which allowed people to call a telephone number and listen to a poem. This project brought poetry to a wider audience and was influential in the development of spoken word and performance art.

Collaborations

Giorno collaborated with many notable artists and musicians, including Andy Warhol, William S. Burroughs, and Laurie Anderson. He appeared in several of Warhol's films, including Sleep and Eat. His collaborations with Burroughs and other writers of the Beat Generation helped to bridge the gap between the literary and visual arts.

Personal Life

John Giorno was openly gay and was an advocate for LGBT rights. He was also involved in various Buddhist practices and was a student of several prominent Buddhist teachers.

Legacy

Giorno's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of poetry and performance art. His innovative use of technology and media to promote poetry has influenced many contemporary poets and artists. He is remembered as a trailblazer who expanded the boundaries of what poetry could be.

Selected Works

• The American Book of the Dead (1964)
• Balling Buddha (1970)
• You Got to Burn to Shine (1994)
• Subduing Demons in America: Selected Poems 1962-2007 (2008)

See Also

• Beat Generation
• Pop Art
• Performance poetry
• Andy Warhol
• William S. Burroughs
• Laurie Anderson