What do you think?
Rate this book
Gravity & Spectacle
Poetry. Photography. Jia Oak Baker's stunning photographs of Flesh Cactus, a discarded punk-rock-skateboard-video-prop-mask, and Shawnte Orion's sardonic, pop culture-infused poetry make the strange world of GRAVITY & SPECTACLE. It is a slanted ode to Phoenix and its surrounding deserts, both gorgeous and absurd, stoic and wry, gravitational and spectacular, a "love letter to the fireplace" of a hometown seen through the lens and the pens of two of its inhabitants.
- GenresPoetry
92 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2020
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Shawnte Orion
4 books44 followersShawnte Orion attended Paradise Valley Community College for one day, but he is the author Gravity & Spectacle (a collaboration with photographer Jia Oak Baker from Tolsun Books) and The Existentialist Cookbook (NYQBooks). His poems have appeared in Threepenny Review, Barrelhouse, Georgetown Review, New York Quarterly, and elsewhere. He is an editor for Rinky Dink Press and he has performed in bookstores, bars, universities, hair salons, museums, and laundromats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 24, 2020
Inventive, innovative, inspired!
This is a beautiful one-of-a-kind blend of photography & poetry. Each art form stands strong on its own to combine as a powerful project that works on many levels: silly, fun, sad, strong, moving.
Orion's poems are especially powerful (in what may be his best work yet).
This is a beautiful one-of-a-kind blend of photography & poetry. Each art form stands strong on its own to combine as a powerful project that works on many levels: silly, fun, sad, strong, moving.
Orion's poems are especially powerful (in what may be his best work yet).
December 13, 2020
GRAVITY & SPECTACLE is a collaboration, the Gravity portion comprised of photographs by photographer/poet Jia Oak Baker, followed by poems by Shawnte Orion under the Spectacle umbrella. When the softcover edition is opened to where Gravity ends and Spectacle begins, the contents are divided neatly in half--and when I did that, still under the influence of the rich, bizarre, free-associative flavor of this wonder-filled book, I had the latest "that reminds me" reaction. The open book reminded me of the human brain, the spine-split down the middle being the corpus callosum, across which messages go from one hemisphere of the brain to the other.
For there is a feeling of cross-communication. The titles of Oak Baker photographs, though written by her, seem to partake of Orion's otherworldly sensibility. And in at least one case, there is an exact match: the amazing phrase "dull horizon" appears in both an Oak Baker title and an Orion poem. Both authors do takes on the Arizona State Fair and on Phoenix, Arizona phenomena; and both authors have a tour-guide knack for revealing facets of the American Southwest that would be known to insiders but not to the wham/bam/thank-you-ma'am tourist.
The first "that reminds me" reaction I had to this book was on viewing the cover, which shows a humanoid figure in a suit standing on an edge of a picture frame, back to the "fourth wall," and apparently peering into the depths of the picture that's framed, of a scape of bloblike forms and some negative space in a similar blue to what Picasso used in his "blue period." The picture is part of a photo of a front-sitting-room with a staircase on the left. The humanoid figure has a head that looks alien, cactuslike but in the general shape of one of the Pope's ceremonial hats, with tired-looking, half-opened eyes here and there on the cactus-ribs. What this reminds me of is David Lynch's ERASERHEAD, David Lynch's THE ELEPHANT MAN, and various works of Grant Wood, particularly "American Gothic" and "Daughters of the American Revolution." The application of Something REALLY WEIRD Is Going On to a conventional setting is common to these works. And in Orion's "One-Star Yelp Reviews of Heaven" there's a "this reminds me," this time of Mark Twain's "Extract from Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven," which would fit right in with the other one-star reviews, except way too long. The delightful takeaway is that Mark Twain may have invented the Yelp review.
One of the things that makes GRAVITY & SPECTACLE special is that there are extensive notes in an appendix, giving insight on how the photos and poems came to be. Orion's note on his Yelp poem reads "Language found and tweaked from Yelp reviews for The National WWII Museum in New Orleans." And in fact, "Language found and tweaked" goes for several others of his poems. He is adept at pastiche, at adopting a style and investing it with his unique ironic/lampooning viewpoint.
Oak Baker's notes sometimes include the exact location of the photo, sometimes some background of the person being photographed, and sometimes a clue as to why she titled a particular photo. Her note on "Apathy Wins," which has a dead saguaro in its foreground: "Saguaros can be destroyed by wind, lightning, rain, frost, and people. It is a felony to harm, vandalize, or remove a saguaro."
There are so many "that reminds me" flashes in Oak Baker's photographs. Her "Dark Figures at Eternity's Gate" reminded me, though the composition is completely different, of Ansel Adams's "Moonrise over Hernandez, Mexico." Tonal qualities and the startling white of a cross (in a graveyard in the Adams photo) against dusk. "Truth is a Theory of Fantastic Plausibility" has resonance with Barry Goldwater's most famous photograph. And "Night Tinkering" is oddly reminiscent of Ben Shahn's painting "Handball." But the photos are all hers, and all have as observer her outre traveler, whose head, we learn in one of Orion's note, is a Flesh Cactus mask that Orion purchased at a yard sale had by J.J. Horner, whom he describes as a "paintbrush wizard." An improbable purchase was the seed of the kaleidoscopic journey Oak Baker has photographically preserved, and her partner author Orion brings his own kaleidoscope to this fantastic book. I hope you will partake of their journey, Reader and Viewer. You will be richly rewarded.
For there is a feeling of cross-communication. The titles of Oak Baker photographs, though written by her, seem to partake of Orion's otherworldly sensibility. And in at least one case, there is an exact match: the amazing phrase "dull horizon" appears in both an Oak Baker title and an Orion poem. Both authors do takes on the Arizona State Fair and on Phoenix, Arizona phenomena; and both authors have a tour-guide knack for revealing facets of the American Southwest that would be known to insiders but not to the wham/bam/thank-you-ma'am tourist.
The first "that reminds me" reaction I had to this book was on viewing the cover, which shows a humanoid figure in a suit standing on an edge of a picture frame, back to the "fourth wall," and apparently peering into the depths of the picture that's framed, of a scape of bloblike forms and some negative space in a similar blue to what Picasso used in his "blue period." The picture is part of a photo of a front-sitting-room with a staircase on the left. The humanoid figure has a head that looks alien, cactuslike but in the general shape of one of the Pope's ceremonial hats, with tired-looking, half-opened eyes here and there on the cactus-ribs. What this reminds me of is David Lynch's ERASERHEAD, David Lynch's THE ELEPHANT MAN, and various works of Grant Wood, particularly "American Gothic" and "Daughters of the American Revolution." The application of Something REALLY WEIRD Is Going On to a conventional setting is common to these works. And in Orion's "One-Star Yelp Reviews of Heaven" there's a "this reminds me," this time of Mark Twain's "Extract from Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven," which would fit right in with the other one-star reviews, except way too long. The delightful takeaway is that Mark Twain may have invented the Yelp review.
One of the things that makes GRAVITY & SPECTACLE special is that there are extensive notes in an appendix, giving insight on how the photos and poems came to be. Orion's note on his Yelp poem reads "Language found and tweaked from Yelp reviews for The National WWII Museum in New Orleans." And in fact, "Language found and tweaked" goes for several others of his poems. He is adept at pastiche, at adopting a style and investing it with his unique ironic/lampooning viewpoint.
Oak Baker's notes sometimes include the exact location of the photo, sometimes some background of the person being photographed, and sometimes a clue as to why she titled a particular photo. Her note on "Apathy Wins," which has a dead saguaro in its foreground: "Saguaros can be destroyed by wind, lightning, rain, frost, and people. It is a felony to harm, vandalize, or remove a saguaro."
There are so many "that reminds me" flashes in Oak Baker's photographs. Her "Dark Figures at Eternity's Gate" reminded me, though the composition is completely different, of Ansel Adams's "Moonrise over Hernandez, Mexico." Tonal qualities and the startling white of a cross (in a graveyard in the Adams photo) against dusk. "Truth is a Theory of Fantastic Plausibility" has resonance with Barry Goldwater's most famous photograph. And "Night Tinkering" is oddly reminiscent of Ben Shahn's painting "Handball." But the photos are all hers, and all have as observer her outre traveler, whose head, we learn in one of Orion's note, is a Flesh Cactus mask that Orion purchased at a yard sale had by J.J. Horner, whom he describes as a "paintbrush wizard." An improbable purchase was the seed of the kaleidoscopic journey Oak Baker has photographically preserved, and her partner author Orion brings his own kaleidoscope to this fantastic book. I hope you will partake of their journey, Reader and Viewer. You will be richly rewarded.
May 4, 2020
I remember Shawnte telling me about his plans for this book when he and Jia Oak Baker had just begun working on it. I thought the idea was fascinating and bizarre and I couldn’t wait to see it come together. I couldn’t imagine HOW exactly it would come together, but I figured if anyone could write a book of poetry that somehow related to stunning photography of himself wearing a cactus head covering in various places – and have it be GREAT, not a disaster – it would be Shawnte. I was right. It is a masterpiece! I interview a lot of winemakers, and they always mention the “sense of place” that wine evokes. This collection conjures the sense of place of Phoenix more than anything I’ve ever read. Valley dwellers will laugh and ache and groan in recognition at Shawnte’s insights and observations throughout. It’s more than a snapshot of life in the Southwest, it’s a plunge into a communal consciousness we desert dwellers share. And that’s only one topic/theme he explores here – he also writes movingly and hilariously about social anxiety, national politics, state fair food, art, childhood, love, and so much more. So many lines will stay with me, so many sentences warrant further study. Many moved me to tears – admittedly not the hardest thing to do, but I think even cold-hearted curmudgeons will be moved if they’re paying attention to what he’s saying. He has such a gift for observation and would make an incredible journalist.
May 23, 2020
Gravity & Spectacle feels like a love story to the art of paying close attention. Close attention that is paid to places/things/people not always noticed, and, as in the desert, the beauty that is everywhere. Through photography and poetry the collection’s authors, Jia Oak Baker and Shawnte Orion, provide the reader with an entry into how the smallest gesture, the cleanest line, even the oddest mask reveals our truest selves. Make sure to pay attention to the notes section of Gravity and Spectacle—these fine descriptions read like additional poetic gifts from both authors.
September 30, 2024
Super cool Arizona-based poetry and photography project with Jia Oak Baker. "Nostalgia is following your own / pawprints left in the snow / once they have melted away."
September 24, 2024
Shawnte Orion's latest poetry book Gravity & Spectacle (Tolsun Books, 2020) opens with photographs by Jia Oak Baker. Dude, I never knew Orion knew how to skateboard and Jia captured that cool image! Jia's photos of Shawnte show him around the southwest: from the Grand Canyon over the Mogollon Rim through the Sonoran desert to the streets of Tucson. Shawnte wears a Flesh Cactus Mask the whole time. As I read the book, I realized, "Hell, anyone could be under that superhero mask -- even I could be under that mask." That's how Gravity & Spectacle reads: anyone of us could be a superhero poet if we just follow Orion down to Tucson and beyond.
Yup, no kidding. This book is inspiring. Hell, Shawnte on stage is quite an experience. Coffee shops, libraries, open mics, bars, and laundry mats across the southwest roar with laughter when Orion gets going. As I read, I felt like an upcoming comedian following Shawnte's delivery to a secret punchline that comes outta nowhere.
I write handwritten letters to two family members, and I also send them Native American poetry. When I read the opening poem "Six Six Six Oh Two" I knew I had to send this poem out. Like Orion said in a text to me a few days ago: "If I give a good reading, folks will assume that I must be Native!"
Orion takes us on a wild ride. We're invited to hear a metaphysical description in "Forensic Field Notes on the Jackalope." If we need some guidance, Orion shows us our options in "Desert Tarot Six-Card Spread," which, HELL YEAH, comes with a Spanish translation by Claudia Nunez de Ibieta. Or if you really need your pop culture fix check out "SWXSW Shizz Fest" in three parts or "Clickbuzzbait" and marvel at Shawnte's twist on the here & now.
And there are the end notes. Shawnte's creativity doesn't end on the final poem, "Her Secret Is Patience" (stolen from Emerson!). As Orion's poetic lines were still buzzing in my head, I read the end notes and found myself reminiscing the liner notes in the CDs of my favorite metal album. I read them all. Shawnte must have, too.
Shawnte is just like me and you. Maybe I am Shawnte...
Yup, no kidding. This book is inspiring. Hell, Shawnte on stage is quite an experience. Coffee shops, libraries, open mics, bars, and laundry mats across the southwest roar with laughter when Orion gets going. As I read, I felt like an upcoming comedian following Shawnte's delivery to a secret punchline that comes outta nowhere.
I write handwritten letters to two family members, and I also send them Native American poetry. When I read the opening poem "Six Six Six Oh Two" I knew I had to send this poem out. Like Orion said in a text to me a few days ago: "If I give a good reading, folks will assume that I must be Native!"
Orion takes us on a wild ride. We're invited to hear a metaphysical description in "Forensic Field Notes on the Jackalope." If we need some guidance, Orion shows us our options in "Desert Tarot Six-Card Spread," which, HELL YEAH, comes with a Spanish translation by Claudia Nunez de Ibieta. Or if you really need your pop culture fix check out "SWXSW Shizz Fest" in three parts or "Clickbuzzbait" and marvel at Shawnte's twist on the here & now.
And there are the end notes. Shawnte's creativity doesn't end on the final poem, "Her Secret Is Patience" (stolen from Emerson!). As Orion's poetic lines were still buzzing in my head, I read the end notes and found myself reminiscing the liner notes in the CDs of my favorite metal album. I read them all. Shawnte must have, too.
Shawnte is just like me and you. Maybe I am Shawnte...
August 31, 2022
Every photo and poem feels like a handshake with Phoenix, a back rub, a slap across the face. I feel refreshed after reading this book, teased, and most importantly--like I understand a city I've only ever visited once. Dusk in the Forecast, I think, puts it perfectly, "Pollution makes the sunset glow / God's empty sky too pure to dazzle....radiant enough to cause skin cancer." Every poem dazzles, while equally shaking the reader awake.
December 31, 2022
Shawnte Orion is a national treasure on par with the movie National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage. This book proves that.
January 8, 2024
Enigmatic and articulate, just like me!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews