Joan Baez opens the Miami Book Fair with the presentation “Am I Pretty When I Fly?”, a compendium of her drawings that reflects her creative freedom offstage.
The legendary singer and activist Joan baez was there on opening night Miami Book Fair to present yours Book Drawings, Am I pretty when I fly? The passage of time has only honored one of the iconic faces of the sixties countercultural movement, whose powerful voice and controlled vibrato made her known in the song of social protest in the heat of the Vietnam War, mainly interpreting works by other artists. , as Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger And Jackson Browne. He later expanded his repertoire to include traditional music, country and pop while continuing to achieve success.
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To talk about his new book on the opening day of the 40th edition of the Miami Book Fair, Sunday, November 12th, Baez shared a table in front of an audience Justin Richmondwho hosts the Broker Record podcast with author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell. The Diamonds & Rust author explained that although she has retired from the stage, or perhaps because of it, she is more active than ever. “I have retired from touring,” he clarified. “While the word ‘retirement’ is really confusing, I can safely say that I have retired from touring, which I did about four years ago.”
When you leave the stage, it doesn’t mean you’ve stopped creating. Among the things he’s done, what stands out is the publication of this book, which consists of “drawings that I’ve probably collected for more than 10 years,” he said.
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Am I pretty when I fly? It brings together seemingly loose sketches, written in complete freedom – far from any control – and dealing with topics close to the author, such as politics, the environment, animal rights and human relationships. A special feature of these drawings is that Baez She began drawing them upside down, often with her non-dominant (left) hand, avoiding any preconceived notions about where the lines would take her.
At the event, Justin Richmond speaks with the acclaimed author of Diamonds & Rust about her recent literary foray and her continued artistic contributions.
“Looking up and drawing upside down doesn’t mean I get stuck somewhere. “It means I’m there and looking at myself at the same time,” the “Silver Dagger” and “Donna Donna” singer explained. If someone sat on the other side of the table, they would see the picture on the right. “While I’m looking at it upside down, I draw a certain amount, a little here, a little there, until I start to formulate in my head what I’m thinking. Then I turn it over to see what it tells me,” he told Richmond to a room full of spectators Miami Book Fair.
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When he draws right side up, he doesn’t find his style “so meticulous with details” that interesting. This happens to her with paintings, and she also has a method: When the details overwhelm her, she takes the pictures “and I dip them in the pool two or three times.” This, according to Baez, allows the soul of the work to emerge. “Diving in the pool or washing with a hose is an important part,” he emphasized to laughter from the audience and a surprised look from Richmond. She added: “I’m crazier than they thought.”
The artist signed copies of “Am I Pretty When I Fly?” and shared with the audience his unusual technique of drawing from the head and with the non-dominant hand.
Despite his 82 years Baez He has no plans to stop. The author of more than 30 albums and the autobiography “And a Voice to Sing With” is traveling to record Am I Pretty When I Fly? to promote. for months. She also traveled for months to promote a documentary about her. He hopes to publish his new book of poetry in April. Then he says that he wants to give himself a break and adds enthusiastically:
– Do you remember, Justin, when? Jack Palance has a Oscar and he wanted to show the world that he could do a one-arm push-up and he was 90 years old? I feel a bit like that. I want to show them that I can make art and poetry.
Part of this need is for us to recognize that we may not have much time left due to global warming. She then added how a villainous girl who just did something bad, but “if it gets to us first (global warming), (Donald) Trump won’t have time to do his gulag,” alluding to the former Republican President, who could do this again in the 2024 elections as he is ahead in his party’s polls.
Joan Baez spoke to a packed audience about her new book at the 40th edition of the Miami Book Fair.