A Review Of
Universes Beyond the Visible~Elements of Dream
Universos para Alem do Visivel~Elementos do Sonho
Published by One Light* 2004
This valuable work, the product of two artists
Alexandra Oliveira and Joseph Sherman is described by them as being a
book of photography. This it most certainly is, but also much, much
more.
Universes Beyond the Visible combines excellent images, all the work of Joseph Sherman, together with poetic verses, written by both Alexandra Oliveira and Joseph Sherman.
Throughout this large and magnificently illustrated hardback-cover 24
by 31 cm book, the poets express their spiritual views on the nature of
existence and the nature of self. Even their own publisher name One Light
together with the title, introduces us to what we can expect, with its
emphasis on the elements of dream as always present in the image and as
a core to our reality of self.
The theme is one of alchemical transmutation, as we
are individually led by photography through the elements of earth,
water, fire and air in the imagination of Joseph Sherman, together with
the poetic works of each to the corresponding image.
What is most remarkable about this innovative and
talented spiritual effort is the fact that this book is bi-lingual.
Alexandra writes in English, as well as her native tongue Portuguese,
as well as translating Joseph’s poems from English. This gives an added
dimension to the work, I do not know in the case of her own poems,
whether she wrote in English first and then Portuguese or vice versa,
perhaps both. But the instant we read the English version, we know we
are looking at something different in the English Language, something
of the richness, sweetness and sensuality of the Portuguese language is
transferred into the work. Her style is both highly conceptual
and romantic but the written verse, as a whole in free verse, is as
succinct as it is elaborative but a contrast to Joseph’s more pristine
approach, which also gains from Alexandra’s splendid translations.
Joseph has in fact spent time on Haiku and it led him to create his own
very interesting innovative verse forms, although these do not appear
in this work, nevertheless the mood pervades his stylistics throughout.
In fact it is difficult in this book to separate the
two artists, who have, in combined inspiration worked to make it, as in my
opinion, both have served as the other’s muse. It certainly is a work
well worth the price of its purchase and we at Poetry Life and Times
are happy to recommend it to our readers.
