Peter Seaton
Encyclopedia
Peter Seaton was a U.S. poet associated with the first wave of Language poetry in the 1970s. During the opening and middle years of Language poetry many of his long prose poems were published, widely read and influential. Seaton was also a frequent contributor to L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E
, one of the influential magazines and theoretical venues for Language poetry, co-edited by Charles Bernstein
. In 1978, Bernstein published Seaton's first book of poetry, Agreement, the same year that L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E magazine made its first appearance. Some of Seaton's work from this time has been reprinted in The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E Book (1984).
Seaton became an active participant in the thriving poetry scene in New York City
during the 1960s. He shared this keen interest with Nick Piombino
while both were attending City College of New York
in the early 60s, and they were to form a close friendship in the 60's and 70's. After graduation in 1964 both he and Piombino, who would himself become an important member of the Language poets, often attended "readings together at St. Mark's Poetry Project
, reading The World magazine and other poetry magazines and discussing them avidly". They also did some writing collaborations and film experiments together in the late 60’s and early 70’s, heavily influenced by Stan Brakhage
who would deeply influence the work of many of the poets involved in the Language movement. Piombino and Seaton's friendship continued up through to the establishment of This magazine
in the early 70's, and L=A-N=G=U=A=G=E magazine up to the early 80’s.
Peter Seaton died in New York City
on May 18, 2010 of an apparent heart attack.
Other publications:
Further reading
L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E (magazine)
L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E was an avant garde poetry magazine edited by Charles Bernstein and Bruce Andrews that ran thirteen issues from 1978 to 1981...
, one of the influential magazines and theoretical venues for Language poetry, co-edited by Charles Bernstein
Charles Bernstein
Charles Bernstein is an American poet, theorist, editor, and literary scholar. Bernstein holds the Donald T. Regan Chair in the Department of English at the University of Pennsylvania. He is one of the most prominent members of the Language poets . In 2006 he was elected a Fellow of the American...
. In 1978, Bernstein published Seaton's first book of poetry, Agreement, the same year that L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E magazine made its first appearance. Some of Seaton's work from this time has been reprinted in The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E Book (1984).
Seaton became an active participant in the thriving poetry scene in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during the 1960s. He shared this keen interest with Nick Piombino
Nick Piombino
Nick Piombino is an American poet, essayist, artist and psychotherapist. He has been associated with poets from both the New York School of the 1960s and the Language Poets of the 1970s, though his work is not easily classified...
while both were attending City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in the early 60s, and they were to form a close friendship in the 60's and 70's. After graduation in 1964 both he and Piombino, who would himself become an important member of the Language poets, often attended "readings together at St. Mark's Poetry Project
St. Mark's Poetry Project
The Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church was founded in 1966 in the East Village of Manhattan by the poet and translator Paul Blackburn, it has been a crucial venue for new and experimental poetries for over four decades....
, reading The World magazine and other poetry magazines and discussing them avidly". They also did some writing collaborations and film experiments together in the late 60’s and early 70’s, heavily influenced by Stan Brakhage
Stan Brakhage
James Stanley Brakhage , better known as Stan Brakhage, was an American non-narrative filmmaker who is considered to be one of the most important figures in 20th century experimental film....
who would deeply influence the work of many of the poets involved in the Language movement. Piombino and Seaton's friendship continued up through to the establishment of This magazine
This (magazine)
This is a poetry journal associated with what would later be called Language poetry because during the time span in which This was published, "many poets of the emerging Language school were represented in its pages"....
in the early 70's, and L=A-N=G=U=A=G=E magazine up to the early 80’s.
Peter Seaton died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on May 18, 2010 of an apparent heart attack.
Selected bibliography
- The following three books of poetry are available complete and online :
- Agreement (New York: Asylum's Press, 1978)
- The Son Master (New York: Roof Books, The Segue Foundation, 1982)
- Crisis Intervention (Berkeley, CA: Tuumba Press, 1983)
- Appearances in L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E magazine':
- "Signification", Volume 1, Number 3 [June 1978]; (prose poetry)
- "Whole Halves", Volume 1, Number 6 [December 1978]; (prose poem/poetics essay: Seaton's contribution to a feature on Gertrude SteinGertrude SteinGertrude Stein was an American writer, poet and art collector who spent most of her life in France.-Early life:...
's Tender ButtonsTender ButtonsTender Buttons is the third and final studio album by the British band Broadcast. It was released by Warp Records on September 19, 2005 in the UK, one day later in the United States...
) - "An American Primer", Volume 2, Numbers 9-10 [October 1979]; (prose poem/poetics essay)
- "Texte", Volume 3, Number 11 [January 1980]; (prose poetry)
- "How To Read IV", "Special L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E issue of Open Letter" [1981]
- Appearances in "This" magazine :
- "Men on the Roof", "This": no. 8, San Francisco, CA [Spring 1977], edited by Barrett WattenBarrett WattenBarrett Watten is an American poet, editor, and educator often associated with the Language poets.Since 1994, Watten has taught modernism and cultural studies at Wayne State University in Detroit...
- "Side Tone", "This": no. 9, San Francisco, CA [Winter 1978], ed. Barrett Watten
- "Apprehension", "This": no. 10, San Francisco, CA [Winter 1979] ed. Barrett Watten
- "Men on the Roof", "This": no. 8, San Francisco, CA [Spring 1977], edited by Barrett Watten
Other publications:
- "The Correspondence Principle" (Brooklyn, NY: A Hundred Posters, Other Publications, 1978)
- Piranesi Pointed Up in "Roof VIII"; Roof: Volume 2, Number 4: Winter 1978. James Sherry, editor. (New York: Roof Books, 1978)
- "How To Read II", (Canyon Cinemanews: 79.5/6, 1980)
- "Need from a Wound Would Do It", Paris Review No. 86 (New York: Winter, 1982)
- "Frey's Landing", in "Charles Bernstein Issue", The Difficulties, Vol. 2, No. 1. Tom Beckett, ed., (Kent, Ohio: Viscerally Press; Skelly's Press, 1982)
- "The Pyramids of Elysium", in Temblor: Contemporary Poets, Issue Number 3; edited by Leland HickmanLeland HickmanLeland Hickman was an American poet, editor, actor, and literary magazine publisher. During his lifetime, Hickman was best known as the publisher and editor of the influential magazine Temblor which was noted for the publication of many east and west coast language-related poets...
. North Hollywood, CA, 1986 - "Antonville", in "Language" Poetries. Edited by Douglas Messerli. (New York: New Directions, 1987)
- "Two Words" (Ibid.)
- "Who Writes?", in Aerial 9: Bruce Andrews, Contemporary Poetics as Critical Theory, Volume 2. Edited by Rod SmithRod Smith (poet)Rod Smith, who was born in Gallipolis, Ohio in 1962, is an American poet, editor and publisher. He grew up in Northern Virginia and moved to Washington, DC in 1987. Smith has authored several collections of poetry, including In Memory of My Theories, Protective Immediacy, and Music or Honesty. He...
. (Washington, DC: Edge Books, 1999).
Further reading
- Bernstein, Charles and Bruce AndrewsBruce AndrewsBruce Andrews is a U.S. poet who is one of the key figures associated with the Language poets .-Life and work:...
, ed. The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E Book. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1984. - "Peter Seaton Feature", L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E, Volume 3, Number 11 [January 1980]
- Price, Larry. "Aggressively Private: Contingency as Explanation", Poetics Journal 6 (1986), edited by Barrett Watten and Lyn Hejinian
- Silliman, RonRon SillimanRon Silliman is an American poet. He has written and edited over 30 books, and has had his poetry and criticism translated into 12 languages. He is often associated with language poetry. Between 1979 and 2004, Silliman wrote a single poem, The Alphabet...
(editor). In the American Tree. Orono, Maine: National Poetry FoundationNational Poetry FoundationThe National Poetry Foundation is a book publisher founded in 1971 by Carroll F. Terrell who built its reputation with Burton Hatlen at the University of Maine in Orono. Today it publishes poetry by individual authors as well as both journals and scholarship devoted to Ezra Pound and poets in the...
, 1986; reprint ed. with a new afterword, 2002. This groundbreaking anthology of language poetry serves as a very useful primer, and includes an extract from Seaton's The Son Master and a "Contributor's Note" penned by Seaton himself. - "Ward on Seaton", L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E, Volume 3, Number 13 [December 1980]
External links
- Peter Seaton homepage at PennSound
- Fait Accompli: Wednesday June 23, 2010 American poet Nick PiombinoNick PiombinoNick Piombino is an American poet, essayist, artist and psychotherapist. He has been associated with poets from both the New York School of the 1960s and the Language Poets of the 1970s, though his work is not easily classified...
on his early friendship and collaborations with Seaton - Remembering Peter Seaton by Michael Gottlieb. This essay was posted to the Poetics Listserve at SUNY Buffalo on Wednesday, June 23, 2010
- Peter Seaton 1942 — 2010 This "cyber-tombeauTombeauA tombeau is a musical composition commemorating the death of a notable individual. The term derives from the French word for "tomb" or "tombstone". The vast majority of tombeaux date from the 17th century and were composed for lute or other plucked string instruments...
" at Silliman's Blog by poet Ron SillimanRon SillimanRon Silliman is an American poet. He has written and edited over 30 books, and has had his poetry and criticism translated into 12 languages. He is often associated with language poetry. Between 1979 and 2004, Silliman wrote a single poem, The Alphabet...
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