12 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, May 15, 1996 ARTS Art, poetry collide at Shaman Dru More coming to town this summe m ;"1 r J by James Wilson Daily Arts Editor When poet Laurence Thomas read from his latest book Saturday, at Shaman Drum book store, it was a cli- mactic moment in a two-year collabo- ration between himself and artist Judith Jacobs. Their newly published collection of collages and poetry, titled "The Face in the Mirror," is an exciting contribution to the Ann Arbor art and literary world. The collection includes 27 of Thomas' poems and 27 accompany- ing collages by Jacobs. The final product is a synthesis of both visual art and literature so well knit that it is hard to imagine either the poetry or thercollages isolated from one soother. For example, the first poem (from which the book gets its name), is an interesting meditation on the casual meeting of an acquaintance. It is inter- esting, but, by itself, not exceptionally evocative or moving. When accompa- nied by Jacob's inspired and, in this case, Kafka-esque artwork, however, the poem's image really comes alive. Such synthesis results, throughout the book, in a fascinating and worthwhile aesthetic experience. Whether writing about nature or against war, Laurence's lyrics continually improve upon, and are improved by, Jacob's artwork. "The Face in the Mirror" is, in its entirety, a collage of influences that reflects and transcends the fractured sound bites of popular culture. Not only does it combine Jacob's and Laurence's work, it also draws on other sources such as the art of Christo (in the poem "Dissertation on a White Fence") and Munch, as well as the Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein. This "collage" effect was further Tne wiriies - noise rock at itsanes. Catcn em snursay at tie ung rig. Here come the Swirhies Judith Jacobs and Laurence Thomas at Shaman Drum last week. VIEW Laurence Thomas ad Judith Jacobs Raing of "The Face in the Mirror" at Shaman Dlium, May 11 enhanced at the reading itself. There, Laurence read several of the poems, thus contributing the element of his own voice to the collection. He also let a friend read one of the poems, which resulted in an even greater num- ber of interpreters contributing to a fas- cinating synthesis. While,evenviewedtogether, someofthe poemsandcollagesfailtocaptuetheimag- ination orinte etofthe audience, the over- all nesult is something new, delightful, and particularly suited to our postmodem and multimedia-deiven society."The Face in the Mirnoi"isawonderful synthesis,notjustof two artists' work, but ofthe traditional art of poetry and the modem art of collage, as well as other secondary influences, ranging from film to abstract art As a work of art and as an example of transcending popular cultue, this new volume is well worth any reader time. This reading was only one of several Shaman Drum has scheduled for the month of May. On Sunday, Detroit poet Sharon Smith-Knight appears. Chuck Wachtel, author of "Because We Are Here: Stories and Novellas," and two other novels, is scheduled to come to Shaman Drum on Monday, to read from and sign copies of his latest book. Call 662-0017 for further infor- mation on these and other literary events coming to Shaman Drum this summer. By Heather Phares Daily Arts Writer In one of the best double bills in recent memory, the aptly named Swirlies and fellow noise-popsters Number One Cup waft into town tomorrow. The Swirlies mix goofy humor into its brand of dreamy, experimental music, which borrows equally from the bludgeoning sound- scapes of My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth and the lo-fi musings of bands like Pavement or Guided by Voices. It's been three years since the band's winning debut, "Blondertongue Audiobaton," (named after a piece of studio equipment) which blended PREvI EW The Swirlies With Number One Cup Tomorrow Doors open at 9:30 p.m. BidPig Tickets $6; 996-8555 for inf dream-pop riffs with Speak 'N' Spells and stream-of-consciousness stoner ramblings. The Swirlies returns with its second album, "They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons, which includes more of the off-kilter music that garnered it fans in the first place. Don't miss this rare live performance by such a loopily engaging band. 9 ,I l its tnppy sounU wi u00 £at 0 t U! lay. Bardopond By Heather Phwes Daily Arts Writer "The whole thing was done in seven days. It took two days to record it, two days adding tracks, and three days were spent mixing it," said Bardopond's Michael Gibbons about making the group's intoxicating new album "Amanita." Like other miracles that were created within a week, the album is an expansive world unto itself, full of rich textures and overflowing with songs - so much so that "Amanita' originially intended to be a single LP, mushroomed into a double-album epic. "Everything sounded so good that we couldn't figure which songs to take out, Gibbons explained. The album, named in Detroit Bardopond Friday, ay 17 Zoot's Coffee House (313) 832-6621 for info for a hallucinogenic mushroom, is remi- niscent of the trippy heights scaled by other psychedelic-leaning bands like Mercury Rev and Spacemen 3. Singer/flautist Isobel Sollenberg croons gently over the heady rush of guitars, keyboards and drumming exemplified on songs like "Limerick" and "Be a Fish." Bardopond live is a truly trippy experience - feed your head with its music. " 4 Vold ITe-'4 .r,. _ _ , __ __