John Giorno's Previous Residence Transforms intoNYC's Hippest Off-beat Art Center
In the heart of New York's Bowery, nestled within a 19th-century YMCA building, Giorno Poetry Systems (GPS) continues to be a beacon of innovation and creativity. Since its revitalization under the leadership of Anthony Huberman in 2020, the organisation has remained steadfast in its mission to connect poetry and related art forms with a broader audience, using groundbreaking ideas and technology.
The current state of GPS is one of active engagement in the contemporary arts scene. John Giorno's installation, "Welcoming The Flowers," is currently on display at Palais de Tokyo, Paris, and the organisation is promoting the event via its social channels. GPS is also fostering new artistic collaborations, as evidenced by its featuring and tagging of artists like Colin Self.
Media and outreach remain central to GPS's strategy. The organisation has released audio compilations, such as the NTS radio guide to GPS’s archive, and maintains an active online presence. This digital-forward approach aligns with founder John Giorno's original embrace of new media and technologies.
GPS's activities demonstrate a commitment to both preserving its historical legacy and fostering new creative work. Archival presentations, like sound compilations, coexist with contemporary installations and collaborative projects. The organisation's event programming reflects an emphasis on collaboration, interdisciplinary exchange, and public engagement.
The primary focus of GPS over the past year has been programming performances and events centered on artists showcasing or paying tribute to work other than their own. Among the digitized releases from GPS Records are a compilation titled Biting Off the Tongue of a Corpse and three records related to Dial-a-Poem, which have been made available on streaming services for the first time.
The Bunker, a part of the YMCA building, retains the bedroom of William S. Burroughs and a Buddhist shrine set up by John Giorno. This intimate space, described as people-scale and focusing on how people relate to each other, hosts recent events such as Elizabeth Peyton's concert, Leidy Churchman's meditation, and Nick Mauss's talk with Emmelyn Butterfield-Rosen. Upcoming events include artist Niloufar Emamifar convening with sociologist Asef Bayat and author Dodie Bellamy reading from a forthcoming book.
The Bookcase, an artist-curated shop within The Bunker, offers a glimpse into an artist's mind. Selections here, such as writer Renee Gladman's shelf space devoted to LPs by Alice Coltrane and poetry by Fred Moten, provide insights into the artistic influences and passions of the curators.
Under Huberman's leadership, GPS aims to continue the record label with new artist-curated releases and to expand Dial-a-Poem with international editions. The premise for these initiatives is to go back to the roots of what Giorno had conceived to be a collaborative enterprise among artists working on the margins.
In summary, Giorno Poetry Systems, post-2020 revitalization, operates as a vibrant, interdisciplinary arts platform with a sustained commitment to innovative, accessible poetry and performance, while actively preserving and extending its historical legacy into the present cultural landscape. The organisation continues to operate in the spirit of its original, experimental ethos, engaging in creative collaborations, and reaching out to diverse audiences through innovative means.
- In the art world, Giorno Poetry Systems (GPS) under the leadership of Anthony Huberman continues to be a trailblazer, showcasing contemporary art and poetry to a wider audience through groundbreaking ideas and technology.
- The organization, known for its innovative approach, is currently promoting John Giorno's installation, "Welcoming The Flowers," in Paris among its followers on social media.
- The art lifestyle extends beyond visual pieces at GPS, with the organization maintaining a record label, GPS Records, that recently digitized and released Biting Off the Tongue of a Corpse and three Dial-a-Poem records on streaming platforms.
- The home-and-garden of GPS, The Bunker, offers a unique experience, hosting events such as Elizabeth Peyton's concert, Leidy Churchman's meditation, and Nick Mauss's talk with Emmelyn Butterfield-Rosen, reflecting a blend of music, meditation, and conversation that illustrates the interdisciplinary nature of the organization.
