Found In Translation | A Writing Workshop by ANTiPODE Dept. of Literature

A concept is an object of exploration until it becomes a word. Once a word, it becomes a tool in our cognitive bag with which we can explore other concepts.

What happens during the workshop: ANTiPODE Department of Literature is hosting a writing workshop in which we will brainstorm, discuss, draw, write, and revise together to collectively distill and digest two main themes:

• Untranslatable Words: First, we will brainstorm and write about words in any language that require a sentence or two to translate into other languages.
  Example word: Komorebi in Japanese refers to the sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees—the interplay of light and leaves creating lovely patches or patterns of sunlight on the ground or other surfaces.
  
• Wordless Concepts: Next, we will discuss concepts we care deeply about and wish we had a word for. We then try to collectively coin a term for them.
  Example concept: I wish we had a word for that feeling when the first sip of coffee or tea envelops your being.

Example piece: Amir Amini has already tried this workshop’s idea to create a piece which you may read here.

Please bring one untranslatable word, one wordless concept, and thirst for writing. After the workshop, stay for tea, wine, conversation, and connect with fellow writers and artists.

What happens after the workshop: You will take your writing piece home with you to rework, revise, cut, expand, and/or explore further. We encourage you to send it to us when you are satisfied with it before Jan 15th 2025. We are excited to use some of the results as raw material for collaboration with professional drawing artists.

Hosting Members:

• Chelsea Bolan writes a lot about people finding their own power. Her work has appeared in local and national publications as well as art exhibitions. She is a GAP grant recipient and was an Artist-in-Residence at Milkwood International in Český Krumlov, Czechia. Her first novel, The Good Sister (HarperCollins), won the HarperCollins/UBC Prize for Best New Fiction.
  
• Jane Wong is the author of three books: Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City (Tin House), How to Not Be Afraid of Everything (Alice James), and Overpour (Action Books). She grew up in a restaurant and is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing and Asian American Studies at Western Washington University.

• Arne Pihl began writing in high school and kept at it, with varying levels of focus. His day job has been carpentry, mostly. The two blended as years and skills increased. Sometimes now, the difference between the idea and texture of a thing is thin as a shaving. He was co-founder and co-director of Till Writer’s Residency from 2013 to 2020, did the groundwork and infrastructure for LoFi Arts Festival for its years-long duration and Series 001 in 2021. His chapbook, Montana was published by Spankstra Press. Poems and essays can be found on Substack @arnekpihl. His woodwork is sold at Frye Art Museum Store. He built the bar and back bar of Dino’s Tomato Pie on Capitol Hill and was part of the fine crew that built the tables, benches and bars, hung the catwalks and steel ceiling beams at Stoup Brewing also on Broadway.
  
• Amir Amini–ANTiPODE’s Co-Founder. Amir is a writer/poet wannabe. His writings often capture the oscillatory journey between Tehran and Seattle, and between Science and Poetry. To read some of his work please visit this website.

Payment: We suggest a $20 contribution to support this event. Please let us know if you require financial assistance.

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