2022

Curated by instructor, Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo

Pillar Pieces & Whispering Walls: Poems by Students of Occidental College was a collaborative publication between Alternative Field and Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo for a class presentation on march 18, 2022 via Zoom with students of Occidental College arts301: arts writing and writing as art as taught by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo. The publication was supported by Occidental College.

In Arts301, Writing Art and Writing as Art: Where Language and Image Converge students are invited to experiment with creative writing forms sparked by or connected to visual art as well as explore their own influences. In an early assignment inspired by “La Vie Boheme” from Jonathan Larson’s RENT, students were challenged to consider what pillars guide their creative practice. Who are your influences? What are your passions? Who or what do you celebrate with your art? are just some questions students have considered. The ekphrasis poems in this collection reflect these conversations.

-Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo