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Manifesto "The poet is of no party." Baudelaire
Our manifesto is an act of substantiation.
We reject all forms of futilitarianism, in whatever disguise.
We believe that comedy is the song of the village and tragedy the song of the goat.
We believe what is written in the books, but now we want to see for ourselves.
The single idea, beating on the same doors in vain.
The analogue and the invention.
The death cell.
The first permission.
Though we watch the stage for things to happen, though our minds wander.
By ourselves in the green field, playing our diversion.
Though the story begins with the loss of a home.
Out of the machine, we shift restlessly in our seats.
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Harp & Altar

Issue: ELEVEN, WINTER 2022
13 | 12 | 11 | ARCHIVE: 1–10
{ Manifesto }
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Bird Portraits

James Gallagher



I sit at a messy table and piece together fragments of the world around me. Using pages from discarded books, I try to capture fleeting moments with a knife and glue. My focus is on the human body and all of its subtle gestures and innate behavior. My forms come together quickly as I grab materials within reach and embrace the direction that they take me. If all goes well, I’m left with a depiction of the frailty and fluidity of the human condition. As well as a floor full of scraps.

About ten years ago, a wounded bird showed up on our stoop in Brooklyn. We took her into our home and in no time she became a part of the family. During this period, I was collecting vintage portraits from thrift stores. They reminded me of my grandmother’s old family photos that I was fascinated by as a child—and also a bit unnerved. With our new family member flying around the apartment, I began to gather bird imagery from my collection of National Geographic magazines and vintage nature books. I was soon experimenting with combining the birds with the anonymous faces. This juxtaposition seemed to give the portraits a jolt of energy, like breathing some life into their frozen stares.

—James Gallagher


All works: untitled collages, various sizes (from 3” x 5” to 5” x 8”), 2014–2024.