Critical Correspondence

Performa 09: parades & changes, reenactment at DTW

by Ursula Eagly

I just read a Japanese postmodern novel from the 80s. In true pomo form, the author (a poet) has written himself into the book. He teaches poetry at a poetry school, and he admits he has little to teach:

“When I read a poem, I respond to it in one of two ways: ‘Wow, this is great!’ or ‘God, this is awful!’ I have no other responses.”

So true. Our base response is both valuable and undervalued.

Walking into the theater to see “parades & changes, reenactment,” I had prepared myself for a sophisticated, historically-informed type of appreciation experience. I was surprised. My base response:

WOW, THIS IS GREAT!