Cut-ups, Copiers and Korte: Remixing Archival Fragments

In this hands-on workshop with Obsolete Press, participants will dig into the papers of poet Mary Norbert Korte and use her words, marks, and images as raw material for making something new, while gaining a deeper understanding of the work of this underappreciated woman poet of the Beat Generation. We’ll remix archival fragments into handmade works of our own and create a communal chapbook.

Legendary fine-press printer William Everson wrote: “... the career of Mary Norbert Korte most sharply defines the historic tension between the women of service and the women of passion. She became a student of Lew Welch, cracking convention within the bastion of the religious order.” Korte was a poet, teacher, and longtime Rochester resident whose work explored spirituality, nature, the everyday, and the complicated stuff of being human. Her papers document poetry in process, from handwritten drafts and notes to correspondence and other traces of her creative life.

Using Beat-era literary techniques like the “cut-up” and mid-20th century copying technology like the hectograph, Obsolete Press will lead participants in an experiment with found language and images, follow unexpected connections, and see where the materials lead. By the end of the evening, everyone will have made a small, finished work to take home.

Directions to Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation (RBSCP)

RBSCP is located on the 2nd floor of the Rush Rhees Library

Parking

Library Lot is the recommended parking location.

After 4:30 p.m Parking in Library Lot is free.

Between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.: Enter campus from Elmwood Avenue and stop at the parking kiosk just beyond the entrance. Campus parking costs $6. The attendant will direct you to Library Lot or another available lot if Library Lot is full.

Directions from Library Lot

Enter the library through the ground-floor entrance across from Library Lot.

Walk straight down the hallway, past the elevator, restrooms, and Art & Music Library.

At the end of the hallway, take the stairs near the vending machines to the Eastman Quad entrance.

Enter the library and turn left through the doors into the Friedlander lobby.

Take the marble staircase on your left to the second floor.

Turn left through the glass doors into the Great Hall study area.

Enter the doorway marked “Administration” on your left.

RBSCP is at the end of the hallway on your right.

Directions via elevator

Take the elevators just inside the Library Lot entrance to the first floor.

Exit to the right, then turn immediately right through the security gates.

Continue down the hallway into Lam Square.

Take the single-car elevator to the second floor.

Exit the elevator and walk straight ahead to enter RBSCP.

Need assistance?

If you need additional help accessing the department, please let us know in advance so we can make arrangements for your visit.

For questions or assistance, please contact [email protected]