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Oranges and Sardines – Summer 2008

Volume 1 Issue 1

Summer 2008

Quarterly

Camilla S. Medders

“Does the world really need another publication?” asks Didi Menedez, publisher of Oranges and Sardines. “Not really,” she answers herself, and goes on to explain, rather mysteriously, that small presses are instead “forming the path to what we really need.” While I have no idea what that means, I personally am glad that Oranges and Sardines exists, because it is clearly not just another publication.

“Does the world really need another publication?” asks Didi Menedez, publisher of Oranges and Sardines. “Not really,” she answers herself, and goes on to explain, rather mysteriously, that small presses are instead “forming the path to what we really need.” While I have no idea what that means, I personally am glad that Oranges and Sardines exists, because it is clearly not just another publication.

The unique quality of this magazine is apparent from the Table of Contents, which include no titles. Instead, this page is made up of thumbnails from paintings and quirky photographs of poets. Immediately, you know that this is not your average literary magazine, where black and white letters dominate the layout. In Oranges and Sardines, words and pictures mix happily: poetry is surrounded by full color photography and paintings are accompanied by interviews with the artists. The result is a little overwhelming, providing the same kind of dazzling sensory overload found on the internet, but it’s a great addition to the world of literary magazines.

The poems in this magazine come in all forms – some conventional, some experimental. Among my favorites were J.P. Dancing Bear’s, all of which begin with lines borrowed from other poems. I also like the way Steffi Drewes combines complicated imagery with sly humor in lines like “Sweet Jesus, he’s gone / and saddled up the neighbor’s dog.” As for the art, I enjoyed it all, the large, full color presentation, which allows the reader to fully appreciate details like the soft curves of Jennifer Wildermuth’s nude portraits and Neil Hollingworth’s breathtaking use of light and reflection.

Oranges and Sardines, while it focuses on poetry and visual art, also contains several thoughtful reviews of poetry collections, a touching short story by Kirk Curnutt, a wonderful interview with Mark Doty, and two columns featuring essays about the world of writing. The combination of all these elements results in a well-rounded magazine with a lot to offer, maybe even “what we really need.”
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