Honora Spicer

Counter-mapping: Documenting Urban Spaces in Visual Poetry

in collaboration with Giancarlo Huapaya

In this poetry workshop, we will investigate visual forms of representing urban spaces at the intersection of poetry and cartography. Grounded in the textual/visual analysis of works from the Latin American avant-garde, concrete poetry, documentary poetry, and critical cartography, we will excavate accumulations of power in urban spaces in order to respond to ordinary violences, propose different dynamics with space, and plot new narratives. A central element of our ethics is making transparent the orientation and body of the artist within historical and spatial environments by engaging practices to perceive more amply our positionality and present. This workshop is designed for poets to integrate new tools, literary traditions, and spatial and ethical orientations in their practice, and to develop an investigative project about a place with which they are in relation. The workshop will be facilitated in Spanish and English, but participants do not need to be bilingual. 

These workshops are free thanks to support from the Harvard Mellon Urban Initiative, the des/centro de poesía, the UTEP Mellon Humanities Collaborative, and members of our Patreon. The workshop is open to the public and directed principally towards members of the community.

The des/centro de poesía is a language justice space in Providence that hosts poetry readings and bookmaking workshops in Spanish, and is one of the spaces where this workshop is hosted.

For announcements of upcoming courses, follow @descentrodepoesía on Instagram or get in touch: hspicer@fas.harvard.edu.

Student Testimonials

“Countermapping is an important and valuable tool for learning about the past, living in the present, and imagining the future. This course has opened my mind and my heart to so many possibilities. Countermapping has re-wired my brain.” (MaryHope)

“Thanks to this workshop I’ve been able to better hone my powers of observation, better understand the space of a poem, and awaken those other eyes which simply looking don’t see.” (Ximena) 

“The course opened my mind to other possibilities to explore the city in which I was born. It makes me re-think elements of my writing practice and the way in which I transit through my city, which will serve me in continuing to create and to pay attention to how my body and my ideas move through spaces and the politics of those transits. Honora and Giancarlo present concepts clearly and are really generous with sharing references which stimulated not only participants’ personal processes but also the discussions within each session. I know the course will serve many people in learning to see what is behind and to look for what maps have attempted to hide.” (Thaís)

“The curriculum was well-structured, covering topics from the Latin American avant-garde to critical cartography, and aimed at uncovering power dynamics in urban environments through a critical lens. The reading materials were carefully selected and comprehensive, offering a solid foundation for discussion and creation. The instructors were knowledgeable and fostered an inclusive and supportive environment, emphasizing the importance of understanding our positionalities in relation to space. Participants were introduced to a range of tools and traditions to enrich their poetic practice. The workshop included a project component, encouraging the application of learned concepts to a place of personal significance. The bilingual facilitation (Spanish and English) enhanced accessibility and added depth to our discussions. Overall, this workshop offered valuable insights into integrating spatial analysis with poetic practice. It is highly recommended for poets interested in expanding their approach to writing about urban spaces.” (Alonso)

“This course was nutritive and dynamic. During the sessions we worked with diverse sources, analyzing concepts about mapping, counter-mapping and space, and we engaged in stimulating activities to (re)think our relationship with space and the city. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to participate because it allowed me to elaborate new questions with respect to my practices as a body in the world, and to see from new angles certain elements of my research and creative writing.” (Emilia) 

“It has been really interesting to confront the task of reading public spaces, the workshop has given tools to amplify our experiences with space and portray them in the poem, using langauge that far from being traditional, experiments with multiple signs: textual, sonorous and graphic. I loved it, thank you for the opportunity!” (Ursula)

“Thank you for the meaningful journey, I truly enjoyed learning with and from everyone through your generous teachings. I am excited to continue exploring the concepts, tools, and resources you shared with us…The visits to the poetry and mapping rooms were wonderful to contextualize the theory. Thank you so so much for your inspiring and humble teaching and sharing. I am beyond grateful for everything that I carry with me from the experience you created for us.” (Yael)

“Thank you so much Nora and Giancarlo for running such a thoughtful course rich in ideas and questions and for curating this fantastic bibliography…I absolutely loved the mix between the presentation of conceptual material and writing/sharing exercises, and handling maps and books.” (Fiona)

“Thank you! Nora and Giancarlo--this course was a gift. The activities, resources, and discussions will infuse my future thinking and making in all sorts of delicious ways. I appreciate the care and attention you gave to the course topics and especially to all of us.” (Lauren)

“Thank you again for the opportunity of this excellent workshop. I'm grateful for the perspectives gained into counter-mapping, and how I can apply these to my own projects, as well as for time shared with you all and getting to glimpse the personal projects everyone is developing.” (Claudia)

Past Courses and Presentations

Counter-mapping: Documenting Urban Spaces in Visual Poetry, sponsored by the Harvard Mellon Urban Initiative and des/centro de poesía, February 2023

‘Documenting Space in Visual Poetry’, paper presented at the American Comparative Literature Association conference seminar: Documentary Poetry of the Hemispheric Americas, April 2023

Counter-mapping: Documenting Space through Visual Poetry Harvard University January@GSAS, January 13-20, 2023 (co-taught)

Counter Mapping: Documenting Place in Visual Poetry/ Contramapeo: documentar el lugar con poesía visual, University of Texas at El Paso, March 5 & 12, 2021 (organized workshop, funded by the Mellon Humanities Collaborative at UTEP/EPCC)