Dunning was Cunning and Woods was Deep.

Colin Dunning poems Cluster for Eugen Gomeringer and Icon for Kazimir Malevich are accrediting the style of art used by the two artist named in the titles of his poem. The use of the words Cluster, Constellation and Concentration and Idol, Block, and Block describes a certain technique used by the named artist. The poem must be broken down to explain: the definition of ‘cluster’ is a gathering of the same or similar elements and this can be represented by the number of letters (13) used to spell each word and the same beginning/ending of the words. ‘Constellation’ is a set or configuration of related units and ‘Concentration’ is the amount of one specific substance that exist among another unit of substance.  It should be clear that the two words share similar elements and how the words are written shows the reader how the words can exist among each other.  Eugen Gomeringer was a German poet that used ‘concrete poetry’ which was a technique that arranged words with the intent to convey the effect of the conventional elements of words, rhythm, and rhyme. If the reader applies the same idea to the second half of the poem they will discover the same effect with the painting style of abstract artist  Kazimir Malevich; and his painting of the ‘Black Square’. The words Idol, Black, and Block may refer to the Black Bloc protest, but I am unsure of that connection. However, the reader can assume the mass of words are a solid substance that absorbs its surroundings with out reflection. The letters are again converging into each other into one substance, but are divided by the one letter unique difference.
    Dunning probably chose to use a non-traditional structure to convey an appreciation to two role models and also give an example of ‘new’ or simple form kind of concrete style writing art form. I think what I will try to take out of this reading maybe to study some of my favorite writers so I can merge styles.
    Alan Woods, like Dunning, uses a simple switch of words to convey a meaning into his poem. I wrote a earlier post about this Woods poem, so feel free to check that out  for information about the poems context. Although I am unsure if Woods is paying tribute to other artist, the general concept of arranging words in a way to convey a contextual meaning into his poem structure.  Both authors use the substitution of letters to define different meaning to the words shown on the screen and how the relate to each other within in the context of the work. The works are very similar in style and I would like to try and use word meanings to convey an entire concept. The idea is simple, but probably incredibly difficult; since it has to contain so much relate-able information within a small amount of text and correct placement.