Wallpaper
For a clear, crisp image properly sized so that you can use it full-screen on your computer, click here.
Light Pages
Long ago, Chinese literati took particular delight in the aesthetic effects of combining painting, poetry and calligraphy. By the eighteenth century, the Japanese had refined this art into surimono, literally "printed things." Commissioned by individual poets or poetry clubs, these single sheets combined poems with the work of the finest artists, calligraphers, and printers. Because surimono were privately printed, economic factors did not limit the aesthetic choices. Such sumptuous printing techniques as embossing and pigmenting with precious metal powders might be used. Many layers of meanings were produced by visual and verbal allusions. These wonderful woodblock printings were given as New Year’s gifts.
The digital era gives us the possibility of what we have chosen to call Light Pages: We can present poems juxtaposed with photographs in a modern exploration of the verbal-visual interface. When Ann and Marnie present Light Poems in person, the photo images are projected and Marnie reads her poems. Our CDs will allow you to enjoy a similar experience.
Because of the long download time for these files, we have chosen to offer simplified versions on our website. These are more surimono than modern, more like a printed page than a light page.
Full Light Page Version
We invite you to view an example of our full Light Page version of a Poem Page: Wind Writes.
Three Dimensional Poem Presentations
Are these best called Artists' Books or sculptures or installations? Whatever you call them, they are are interesting ways to think about verbal and visual images working together. Click here to see larger images of our three dimensional poem presentations.
Our Separate Ways
Not surprisingly, Ann writes poems and Marnie takes photographs. Their collaboration seems to have a distinctive synergy, but sometimes they each work alone. You might find it interesting to see Ann's work and Marnie's work.
Ordering Information
Click here for information on purchasing our images and poems and for subscribing to our free Poem Page list.