From Bohemia to Conceptual Writing: Books, Presses, and Publishing in the Cultural Life of 20th–Century California

—a conference organized by the UCLA Department of Information Studies in cooperation with the Center for 17th- & 18th- Century Studies and the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library

This UCLA Department of Information Studies symposium at the Clark Library accompanies an exhibit at the Clark focused on the collections and archival holdings in the fine press tradition. Speakers address the place of printing and publishing within the cultural scenes and community formations of the 20th century in California. The program begins with attention to the historical foundations of the fine press tradition from San Francisco’s Nash and Grabhorn Presses to the Los Angeles “renaissance” of printing through Ward Ritchie and his circle, which began in the 1930s. Discussion expands to examine the role of publishing in the formation of community identities from mid-century poet-printers, regional and national figures, and independent presses through contemporary activities in conceptual writing, feminist poetics, and artists’ books.

Immediately following the symposium, there is a celebration of contemporary poets and publishers in the form of a reception and mini book festival. The celebration includes lightning readings and/or spotlight events and will be held in the north conference room at the Clark.