Leonard Cohen's written work shows at UA Poetry Center.
If you’ve ever wondered just what Jay-Z’s 99 problems are, the University of Arizona Poetry Center is giving you the chance to find out.
The center’s new exhibit, “Celebrity Poets,” will feature the poetry of big-name stars like Dolly Parton, Jay-Z and Henry Rollins, giving insight into who they really are. The exhibit is open to the public and runs from Oct. 10 to Dec. 23.
“It’s really interesting, when you think about it, celebrities are supposed to be the people we’d like to be,” said Wendy Burk, senior library supervisor at the UA Poetry Center. “In reading their poetry, we find out who they want to be, who their inner selves are and how the public and private worlds connect.”
“The exhibition will pay tribute to the poetry of our popular culture,” said Gail Browne, executive director of the UA Poetry Center in a prepared statement. “Some of the poets represented are lyricists, like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, and others are film and television stars who have published their poetry. The exhibit will demonstrate just how delightfully playful and diverse poetry can be.”
Other featured celebrities include Ani Difranco, Patti Smith, Tupac Shakur, Billy Corgan, Alicia Keys and Jim Morrison. Many of the books in the collection are rare and hard to find, including Dolly Parton’s Just the Way I Am.
“In doing the collection and research for this, we made some really wonderful discoveries,” said Sarah Kortemeier, library assistant. “I really enjoy reading Dolly Parton’s book because she has original pieces and parts of her songs, and it’s interesting to see how she transforms from song to the page.”
“We’ll sing us a love song
''''' the songbirds would envy
a song that the angels would be proud to sing.
''''' we’ll say with our hearts
what no poet could capture,
''''' say with our eyes
what no artist could paint.”
'' '--Dolly Parton
UA Poetry Center is located at 1508 E. Helen St., 626-3765, and Poetry.Arizona.Edu.
