Peter Seaton

Peter Seaton (December 16, 1942 – May 18, 2010) was a U.S. poet associated with the first wave of Language poetry in the 1970s. During the opening and middle years of Language poetry many of his long prose poems were published, widely read and influential.[1] Seaton was also a frequent contributor to L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E, one of the influential magazines and theoretical venues for Language poetry, co-edited by Charles Bernstein.[2] In 1978, Bernstein published Seaton's first book of poetry, Agreement, the same year that L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E magazine made its first appearance. Some of Seaton's work from this time has been reprinted in The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E Book (1984).

Seaton became an active participant in the thriving poetry scene in New York City during the 1960s. He shared this keen interest with Nick Piombino while both were attending City College of New York in the early 60s, and they were to form a close friendship in the 60's and 70's.[1] After graduation in 1964 both he and Piombino, who would himself become an important member of the Language poets, often attended "readings together at St. Mark's Poetry Project, reading The World magazine and other poetry magazines and discussing them avidly".[1] They also did some writing collaborations and film experiments together in the late 60’s and early 70’s, heavily influenced by Stan Brakhage who would deeply influence the work of many of the poets involved in the Language movement.[1] Piombino and Seaton's friendship continued up through to the establishment of This magazine in the early 70's, and L=A-N=G=U=A=G=E magazine up to the early 80’s.

Peter Seaton died in New York City on May 18, 2010 of an apparent heart attack.[3]

Selected bibliography

Other publications
Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b c d Fait Accompli: Wednesday June 23, 2010
  2. ^ In Memorium: Peter Seaton (1942-2010 this was posted on the "PennSound Daily" site June 24, 2010
  3. ^ Charles Bernstein Weblog: June 25, 2010
  4. ^ courtesy of Eclipse this takes you to a list of authors published at the Eclipse site, scroll down for the Seaton publications
  5. ^ Seaton's first book Agreement was one of five books published by Asylum's Press, under the editorial direction of Charles Bernstein and Susan Bee [Laufer]
  6. ^ Seaton's second book was published by James Sherry's Roof Books, an important venue and publisher of Language poetry, still actively publishing as of 2010
  7. ^ Seaton's third book was published in an edition of 475 copies by Lyn Hejinian's Tuumba Press in June 1983 as Tuumba 45 (Letterpress with title page device and second title in blue ink. Saddle stapled. 30pp.) Hejinian is one of the original poets associated with the Language Writing movement
  8. ^ Access the hyperlinked index here to find specific works
  9. ^ This prose poem appeared in the "Peter Seaton Feature" of this issue which includes a "Seaton Bibliography"
  10. ^ This index at the "Eclipse" website
  11. ^ a facsimile of "How To Read II" as it appeared in "Canyon Cinemanews" was reprinted in Canyon Cinema: The Life and Times of an Independent Film Distributor by Scott MacDonald. (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2008)
  12. ^ Charles Bernstein-- CV
  13. ^ This is a review by Diane Ward of Seaton's "Piranesi Pointed Up". The review can be accessed online here

External links