books on table

TAB and Space Interacting with energy and poetry in the newest 'TAB' issue


Chapman University has long celebrated poetry in various forms and venues. Brought into prominence with its annual fall Poetry Reading Series in 2009, 
Tabula Poetica
, the Center for Poetry at Chapman, fostered a culture of poetry with the creation of
TAB: The Journal of Poetry & Poetics
, launched by Chapman English professor Anna Leahy, Ph.D. and graphic designer Claudine Jaenichen in 2013.

The 2016 print issue of
TAB
especially takes a new turn and plunges the journal into the world of the unexpected.

Annually published at the beginning of the calendar year, the print issues of
TAB
are often whimsical — one year they even made a poetry map — and each issue redefines space and the material text in a new manner, making it a true interdisciplinary activity. Unlike previous issues, Volume 4 of the series is divided into four individual square booklets, each relating to the central theme of energy.

books on table

The four different panel covers for the 2016 print issue of TAB. Photo/ Courtesy of Claudine Jaenichen


According to the design statement of Volume 4, “This issue contains four energy panels (movement, connection, destruction, sustaining) dedicated to the exploration and relationship among diagrammatic representations, the expression of energy, and poetry.”

The four booklets enable readers to interact with each of the pieces and inspect and pore over every word and detail. Whether it has a poem or an author’s biography, every space of the panels is used in word or art and the reader is fully immersed in the theme.

paper on wall

The art and words come together in this panel representing connection. Photo/Courtesy of Claudine Jaenichen


To receive a copy of the latest print issue, send a check for $10 made out to Chapman University (Tabula Poetica on the memo line) to Tabula Poetica
,
Department of English, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866. Or visit the
donations page
for membership that includes a copy. Copies will also be distributed at the upcoming
AWP Conference Bookfair
.

Even though this year’s print issue is limited, TAB will continue to release more electronic issues throughout the rest of the year on the second Wednesday of every other month, allowing access to all poetic readers.

Top image: Close up on the panel covers for TAB. Photo by Claudine Jaenichen.

Michelle Yee

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