John Giorno's Previous Residence Transforms into New York's Hip Artistic Haven for Alternative Expression
In the heart of downtown New York, Giorno Poetry Systems continues to thrive as a cultural platform dedicated to connecting poetry with other artistic forms. Founded by poet and artist John Giorno in 1972, the institution has recently undergone revitalization and expansion, cementing its position as a hub for experimental and cross-genre artistic interaction.
The primary venue for these events is The Bunker, a 19th-century YMCA building on the Bowery that John Giorno called home since 1966. The Bunker, now open for free visitation on Tuesday evenings and hosting ticketed events, retains John Giorno's bedroom as he left it, offering a glimpse into the life of a pioneering artist. The room, adorned with an old typewriter, a strange rifle-stand floor lamp, and remnants of a Buddhist shrine, serves as a testament to Giorno's legacy.
Anthony Huberman, the new executive artistic director, aims to revert Giorno Poetry Systems to its original collaborative roots. He has been focusing on programming performances and events centered on artists showcasing or paying tribute to work other than their own. This approach reflects John Giorno’s pioneering efforts to move poetry off the page and into multimedia and performance contexts, emphasizing collaboration across artistic disciplines.
The Bunker also houses The Bookcase, an artist-curated shop featuring books and records from more than two dozen artists. The selections offer a unique insight into an artist's mind, such as Renee Gladman's focus on Alice Coltrane's LPs and Fred Moten's poetry.
Giorno Poetry Systems has also revitalized GPS Records, a label started by John Giorno in 1972, to release avant-garde music and spoken-word work. The label has digitized its first 13 releases and made them available on streaming services for the first time. GPS Records is also planning to expand with international editions in France, Mexico, and Brazil, and to continue the record label with new artist-curated releases.
In addition to these efforts, Giorno Poetry Systems is also establishing The Bunker as a venue where artists interact with each other and the audience. The prompt given to artists is to share their interest in someone else's work. Recent events at The Bunker include Elizabeth Peyton presenting a concert, Leidy Churchman leading a meditation, and Nick Mauss talking with Emmelyn Butterfield-Rosen.
Upcoming events at The Bunker include Niloufar Emamifar convening with Asef Bayat and Dodie Bellamy reading from a forthcoming book. The goal for Giorno Poetry Systems is to continue cultivating The Bunker as a small-scale art space that supports big ideas and fosters community among artists.
Anthony Huberman expresses that The Bunker, with its communal table and artworks by Giorno and Keith Haring, is designed to emphasize the importance of how people relate to each other. This ethos, rooted in Giorno's activist legacy (including support for LGBTQ+ rights and AIDS awareness), continues to guide Giorno Poetry Systems in its mission to foster collaboration and innovation among poets and multidisciplinary artists while honouring John Giorno’s radical artistic and activist spirit.
- The Bunker, formerly a YMCA building on the Bowery, serves as a contemporary art world hub and a testament to the legacy of artist John Giorno, offering visitors a glimpse into his unique lifestyle.
- The new executive artistic director, Anthony Huberman, aims to revert Giorno Poetry Systems to its original collaborative roots, hosting events featuring artists showcasing or paying tribute to work other than their own.
- The Bookcase, an artist-curated shop within The Bunker, offers a one-of-a-kind insight into artists' minds, with selections such as Renee Gladman's focus on Alice Coltrane's LPs and Fred Moten's poetry.
- Giorno Poetry Systems has revitalized GPS Records to release avant-garde music and spoken-word work, digitizing its first 13 releases and planning to expand with international editions in France, Mexico, and Brazil.
