ARTS

Creative writers join the art community

Creative writers prove they're not the silent minority

by Raphael Martin

Oberlin is a wonderful place in that it shows an interest in fostering the artistic impulses of its students and, more importantly, in giving young artists opportunities for their work to be publicly appreciated. This is especially true of the performance arts: theater, music, and dance. Visual artists get a chance to be viewed publicly as well, through senior art shows, themselves a kind of performance.

For writing, and especially creative writing, the boundary between the public and the personal is very blurry. Writing is a paradoxical art form by nature. Obviously writers want their pieces to be understood and known by a larger audience, and the easiest way to do this is by holding public readings. But this is not the main reason why writers write. Says Martha Collins, chair of the Creative Writing Department "readings do give a better sense of the work itself, but the primary way writing is presented is through the word. The work on paper is what is most important."

A students' reading serves as almost a mini "advertisement" for the work, according to Visiting Creative Writing professor Dan Chaon. In this vein then, it is very important that readings be held. They act as the link between the voices emerging from the creative writing program, and the Oberlin public.

Chaon was quick to note, as Collins did, that the reading is of course not the primary goal of writing. The success of a reading "depends on the particular piece's relationship to being read out loud. Not everything works as a spoken piece." Chaon wonders if student work even needs to culminate with a Senior Reading. "Maybe there could be more emphasis on the paperback published every year that includes excerpts from Majors' theses," Chaon muses. Though this would adhere to the written integrity of a piece, the speed with which writing could be presented to the public would certainly be slowed.

Chaon and Collins are absolutely correct in their assertions that writing is not a performance art, but rather a written art. Yet with major projects like theater honors performances, recitals in the Conservatory, and senior gallery shows, one cannot help but wonder how the new student voices are expected to have their work digested by the public's consciousness.

A frustrating issue is the fact that readings are often under attended. Again, this issue relates back to the personal nature of the art form. Beginning writers generally seem to feel a degree of trepidation in presenting their work due to many of the personal themes addressed.

With so much under-heard and under-read new writing coming out of Oberlin, more student writers should actively seek audiences, like senior art shows and senior theater performances do.

Senior Creative Writing major Carrie Rice Gardner is in agreement. Gardner, along with senior Elizabeth Mason will be presenting their joint Senior Reading on Sunday. "I definitely think that Senior Readings are of the same importance level as other final projects. It is really important to hear student work being read by the authors," Gardner explained. "How the author speaks is how the poem is translated by the audience." For Gardner, this is a vital facet of creating writing.

Both Gardner and Mason will be graduating in December. They have been honing their craft for the better part of four years, and would like to share their creations with all that have the time to listen.

Senior Creative Writing Major Ian Sherman would also like to see more readings. Sherman, who just took part in a very impromptu reading last week, was excited to see such a good turnout for such a hastily put together event. "Traditionally," Sherman said, "Oberlin student writers are distant, except for their final readings. Having more readings during the year is fresh territory, and an area that definitely needs more expansion."

Even though writing is clearly not a performance art, readings do serve a broader purpose. By creating an immediate line of communication between writer and reader, dialogue can occur. And that's when some of the best creation is done.

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Copyright © 1998, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 12, December 11, 1998

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