The groundbreaking Dial-A-Poem project by late artist John Giorno has been digitized and made available online, bringing decades of experimental poetry to a new generation of listeners. The innovative project, which originally allowed people to call a phone number to hear poetry recitations, now features both historical recordings from its early New York days and new contributions from artists around the world.
Visitors to the online platform can now access randomized recitations of poems from the project's original archive, as well as fresh material from contemporary poets in France, Mexico, Thailand, Italy, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Brazil. This digital transformation expands the reach of Giorno's visionary concept, which first launched in the 1960s as one of the earliest examples of accessible, democratized art distribution.
Giorno's legacy continues to influence New York's art scene through multiple channels. His former home has been transformed into one of the city's most dynamic alternative art spaces, with Giorno Poetry Systems working to reconnect artists in Lower Manhattan after five decades of operation. The John Giorno Foundation, now under the direction of Elizabeth Dee, aims to celebrate the artist's creative and political legacy while expanding his historic grant-making practices.
The poet and artist, who died in October 2019 at age 82, was remembered for his ability to conceive unforgettable phrases and discover innovative ways to circulate them to broader audiences. Giorno was not only a pioneering figure in experimental poetry but also starred in Andy Warhol films and remained an integral member of New York's avant-garde scene throughout his career. His influence extended beyond poetry into visual arts, with exhibitions and installations appearing at venues like the Bass Museum, often alongside works by his partner, artist Ugo Rondinone.
The digital preservation of Dial-A-Poem represents a fitting tribute to an artist who consistently pushed boundaries in making poetry more accessible to the public. By moving the project online, Giorno's vision of democratizing art continues to evolve, reaching global audiences and inspiring new generations of poets and artists worldwide.
