John M. Bennett Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-MS-ms009

Staff Only

A large portion of the Bennett Papers consists of mail or correspondence art, a unique blend of painting, drawing, stickers, rubber stamp work, found objects, poetry, clippings, collage, etc., which are then sent through the postal system. Like all mail artists, Bennett is also a recipient of mail art, and his Papers include hundreds of examples of the work of many of the leading correspondence artists working today. The Bennett Papers also include his own manuscripts and poetry journals, as well as a large collection of small press publications, including Lost and Found Times, and a complete collection of printed items from Luna Bisonte Prods. Bennett carries on an extensive correspondence with artists, poets, and small press editors and his Papers contain a good portion of this correspondence as well.

Dates

Creation: 1956-2014

Creator

Bennett, John M. (Creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies.

Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University.

If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)

Extent

177.00 boxes

Additional Description

Biographical Information

John M. Bennett is an American author and artist whose work, though not well known to the academic community, has made a significant contribution to the world of innovative poetry. Born in Chicago, Bennett received his B.A. and M.A. from Washington University and his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1970. He taught Hispanic literature from 1969 to 1976 at Ohio State University.

Bennett is the author of numerous books of poetry, all published by small presses, including Luna Bisonte Prods, his own press. Much of his poetry relies upon the visual experience of the poem for its effect. The interplay of texts with space, the physical appearance of the page, and the printing process itself are all important elements in Bennett's work. He is also one of a growing number of poets and artists who have made innovative use of inexpensive mimeographic and xerographic processes. Luna Bisonte Prods, which he founded in 1976, publishes a variety of printed pieces including broadsides, rubber stamp art, labels, and stickers. Since 1975, Bennett has also produced the Lost and Found Times.