AF2 Meta-Review: Karla Van Vliet's Asemic "She Speaks Tongues" Praised in the Boston Globe

Proof cover of She Speaks Tongues by Karla Van Vliet (Anhinga 2021) 

(Photo courtesy of Asemic Front 2 Archives)

A review of Karla Van Vliet's new book She Speaks Tongues (SST) (Anhinga 2021) appeared in the Boston Globe (December 2, 2021). 

Entitled "Shapely Verse," the thoughtful article by Nina McLaughlin does a great service to the visual poetry and asemic communities by providing an accessible explanation of asemics to a wider audience, in addition to apt praise for Van Vliet. 

Anhinga Press and super-editor Kristine Snodgrass - an AF2 mainstay - receive repeat kudos here for selecting the book and guiding it, with such care, through production: 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/02/arts/collection-asemic-writing-poetry-by-karla-van-vliet-an-exhibit-work-by-kadir-nelson/

The work in She Speaks Tongues - Van Vliet's asemic forms, her traditionally rooted verse, her expressive calligraphy, among other features - is an ideal vehicle to share the pleasures of asemics with a wider audience. The editorial mix in SST makes it an ideal introduction for readers interested in postavant and experimental lit.

I designate SSL an AF2 "Instant Classic," of course. With pride, I want to take just a smidget of non-linear time here to remind the incredible AF2 audience. "You heard it here first, folks!"

In July 2021 AF2 announced, based on the proof we obtained, that She Speaks Tongue was, by our estimation, an asemic masterpiece:

https://asemicfront2.blogspot.com/2021/07/anhinga-press-announces-forthcoming.html

Congratulations and thanks to Karla Van Vliet, Kristine Snodgrass and reviewer Nina McLaughlin.

- De Villo Sloan

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