Allen Ginsberg was an influential poet of the Beat Generation, born in New Jersey in 1926. He is most famously recognized for his epic poem "Howl". Ginsberg was very outspoken in his opposition of capitalism and conformity and his progressivism. His social activism and works were largely influenced by his psychologically ill mother, Naomi Ginsberg. He continued to write poetry throughout his life and taught poetry at Brooklyn College from 1986 until his death in 1997.

www.allenginsberg.org

Allen Ginsberg is featured in Edition: Festivus

Bernard Villers was born in 1939 in Brussels, Belgium, and is a painter and author. His art books include "Cahiers Japonais" (1992), "Correspondance" (1992), "Geometrie variable" (1990), and "La nuit tombe" (1978), among others. He currently lives and works in Brussels.

Excerpt from Gagarin, Seventh Edition (www.gagarin.be).

Bernard Villers is featured in Edition: Festivus

Bertolt Brecht was born in Augsburg, Germany in 1898. He was a poet, playwright, and theatre director most well known for "The Threepenny Opera", "Life of Galileo", "Mother Courage and Her Children", "The Good Person of Szechwan", "The Caucasian Chalk Circle", and "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui". He passed away in 1956 in East Germany.

Bertolt Brecht is featured in Edition: Festivus

Boris Vian was a French writer and musician, among many other professions including acting and engineering. He was born in Ville-d'Avray, France in 1920 and attended Lycée Hoche in Versailles from 1932 to 1937. He subsequently attended Lycée Condorcet in Paris and studied special mathematics until 1939. He is best known for his innovative writing style and surrealistic fiction. L'Écume des Jours (Froth on the Daydream) is one of his most famous works published under his name. Another best seller, titled J'irai cracher sur vos tombs (I Spit on Your Graves) was published under a pseudonym, Vernon Sullivan, in response to the commercial failure of his previous works. He died in 1959 but is still remembered as a great polymath today.

www.borisvian.org

Boris Vian is featured in Edition: Festivus

Joanie Mackowski is a contemporary poet known for her use of eerie language and imagery to describe living creatures and the self. She received a BA from Wesleyan University, her PhD from University of Missouri and has two published works, View from a Temporary Window (2010) and The Zoo (2002). She has won numerous awards including the Emily Dickinson Writers Digest Award in 2009  and the Kate Tufts Discovery Award in 2003. She currently resides in upstate New York.

www.poetryfoundation.org

Joanie Mackowski is featured in Edition: Festivus

John Baldessari is an American artist born in National City, California in 1931. Baldessari received his B.A. from San Diego State College in 1953 and subsequently his M.A. in 1957 from the same college. Most of Baldessari's work mixes found photography and images, with varying inclusions of texts and other mediums. To date, Baldessari's work has been shown in over 200 exhibitions across the U.S. and Europe, notably the Tate Modern in London, England, the Whitney Museum in New York, and MOMA in New York.  His work has influenced many other artists including Cindy Sherman, David Salle, and Barbara Kruger. He has taught at UCLA and California Institute of the Arts. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Excerpt from Gagarin,  Seventh Edition (www.gagarin.be).

baldessari.org

John Baldessari is featured in Edition: Festivus and Edition: Guest Editor, Stephan Breuer

Loie Fuller was a revolutionary modern dancer born in Chicago in 1862. Her tour in Europe in the 1890s received such enthusiasm that Fuller remained in France to continue her work. Best known for the 1896 film, Serpentine Dance, Fuller skyrocketed into fame, embodying the Art Nouveau movement. Her stage lighting methods were experimental and innovative, using colorful transformations throughout her performances. Despite her passing in 1928, Fuller continues to be a strong influence on contemporary choreographers today.

Loie Fuller is featured in Edition: Festivus

Matt Mullican was born in Santa Monica, California. His work can be seen in museums and galleries in the U.S. and internationally, including Christina Guerra Contemporary Art in Lisbon, Galerie Daniel Blau in Munich, Galerie Georg Kargl in Vienna, Galerie Klosterfelde in Berlin, Galerie Nelson in Paris, Mai 36 Galerie in Zurich, Massimo di Carlo in Milan, ProjecteSD in Barcelona and Tracy Williams Ltd. In New York. He has also completed a number of public and private commissions in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Canada. Mullican lives and works in New York.

Excerpt from Gagarin, Seventh Edition (www.gagarin.be).

www.tracywilliamsltd.com/Mullican/Mullican.html

Matt Mullican is featured in Edition: Festivus

Ria Pacquee is a multimedia artist best known for her performance art series, Madame and It. She has showcased internationally since 1996 in group and solo exhibitions and currently works and resides in Antwerp, Belgium.

Excerpt from Gagarin, Eighth Edition (www.gagarin.be).

www.riapacquee.be

Ria Pacquee is featured in Edition: Festivus