Christodoulos Makris

As part of the two-day conference Gestures: Writing That Moves Between  to be held at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester over Friday 15 and Saturday 16 February 2019, I will present a talk incorporating a collaborative reading collectively called 'Poetry and Cultures of Feedback'. Organised by Alice Butler, Nell Osborne, Hilary White (all University of Manchester) and Dr Alicia J Rouverol (University of Sheffield), Gestures is a conference aimed at writers and artists as well as scholars. It takes the cross-disciplinary movement in writing as its focus, and explores the role of gesture - a term more usually associated with Art History and Performance Studies - within it. Keynote speakers are Renee Gladman and Maria Fusco. My contribution is part of the Collaborations panel, chaired by Nell Osborne and presenting in the Grand Hall of the Whitworth Art Gallery on the afternoon of Friday 15 February, which additionally includes presentations by Emma Bolland & Helen

In my capacity as Maynooth University Writer-in-Residence 2018-19, I will be hosting Ágnes Lehóczky and JT Welsch , editors of Wretched Strangers (Boiler House Press, 2018) , for a conversation on themes explored by the anthology, and readings from the book. Wretched Strangers is an anthology of innovative writing from 125 poets, assembled in response to surges in violent British nationalism and political paranoia around borders, and to related social and ethical crises. It was published on the second anniversary of the UK's June 2016 EU Referendum, with proceeds donated to charities fighting for the rights of refugees. The event takes place in the 1st floor seminar room (1.33), Iontas Building, Maynooth University, on Monday 18 February and starts at 4pm . This first presentation of the book in Ireland will additionally include readings from anthology contributors Katherine Ebury , Áilbhe Hines and Aodán McCardle . All welcome, admission free. On publication day, Dav

Opening Monday 4 February and running until 8 March 2019, Form Ever Follows Function is a joint exhibition by gorse and The Pickled Body literary journals at Illuminations Gallery in Maynooth University, featuring specially commissioned digital works by contributors to the journals, and a display of physical material. Illuminations Gallery is a digital-visual exhibition space in the Departments of English and Media Studies at Maynooth University. It brings together work in the visual arts and in academia, celebrating innovation, ideas and creativity. The gallery space is built around eight LED screens, placed back-to-back in custom-designed cabinets. Supplemented by two display units which can exhibit physical artefacts, and a website which extends the gallery space, Illuminations aims to provide opportunities for education, investigation, and enlightenment – in and beyond the university. Form Ever Follows Function is curated by myself on behalf of gorse  along with Dimitra