With Forests in Our Mouths
Info
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Chapter 4: Helialá — a gathering of poems
Format: Publication (limited edition print & online PDF), short film
Dates: 02 Oct 2024
Launch venue: Finnland-Institut, Berlin (DE)
Language: English, Damiá, Italian, Filipino, Binisaya







Helialá — A Gathering of Poems is a collection of thirteen new poems, presented in their original languages of composition with translations into the Queer, constructed language Damiá. The poems respond to the thematic impulse of Queer Utopias, and the printed publication represents the fourth chapter from the durational ‘constellation artwork’ With Forests in Our Mouths (2024-25) by Queer performance collective ONCE WE WERE ISLANDS.

On 2nd October, the publication will be launched at the Finnland-Institut in Berlin with poetry readings in English and in Damiá. A brand-new short film featuring all thirteen poems recorded in Damiá alongside cyanotype imagery will be shown in the Institute foyer. Printed copies of Helialá will be available to take home, free of charge to attendees.

If you would like to request a free copy of Helialá please write to us at info@oncewewereislands.com, with your name and postal address. We can then let you know what the postage contribution would be. The first print edition of Helialá is 200 copies, and we will distribute on a first-come-first-served basis after the initial launch event in Berlin. If you would struggle to pay the postage contribution, please just let us know — a number of copies can be sent with postage costs waived.

A PDF version of the publication will be available to download here, after 2nd October.






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Editing; design, film: ONCE WE WERE ISLANDS
Poems: Stefani J Alvarez, Jacob Louis Beany, Moss Berke, Dion Zavea (Esther Boles), Micol Curatolo, Alton Melvar M Dapanas, Kit Gee, Sky Jing Lee, Anna T., TEINIART, and Jack Young
Damiá translation: Aslan
Filipino & Binisaya translation: Alton Melvar M Dapanas
Launch readings: ONCE WE WERE ISLANDS, Xdzunum Trejo, Mmakgosi Kgabi, Stefani J Alvarez (recording), Alton Melvar M Dapanas (recording), Kit Gee (recording)
Launch photography: Óscar González


LIST OF CONTENTS



i. Message to you — Anna T. 

ii. In the water, you are weightless — Kit Gee

iii. all the places Otherwise touches — Moss Berke

iv. Khaliq — Stefani J Alvarez

v. Queer Utopia / vi. The Cosmic Worm / vii. Rectal Feng Shui — Jacob Louis Beaney

viii. Anthony, Norwich, England — Alton Melvar M Dapanas

ix. i hope you read this — TEINIART

x. Breast milk and confusion — Micol Curatolo

xi. Step — Dion Zavea (Esther Boles)

xii. Fox-Woman-Dreaming — Jack Young

xiii. Cracks in the Forgotten Pavement — Sky Jing Lee

Introduction — Queer Utopias: A Sample Survey — Chris Gylee

Translation Notes — Aslan



LIST OF CYANOTYPES



Cover — cop t-hvel / Italian catchfly

Inside cover — siasta / rowan

i. av roo / ghostberry

ii. parnava / lady’s mantle

iii. avioo ores / raspberry

iv. nantse / fern

v. gesso edia / pale knotweed

vi. enoc / spruce

vii. angez / mint

viii. dagoza / yarrow





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Chapters: ❶ Like Déjà-Vu But The Other Way Around ❷ Thick Time ❸ Remembering Colours ❹ Helialá — a gathering of poems ❺ Palace of Ash & Rain