Collective

OBJECT:PARADISE is a performance and poetics collective that was founded in 2018 in Prague, Czech Republic by writers Tyko Say and Jeff Milton. The original concept was simple and remains our core principle today: let’s make the public poetry reading an accessible experience by making poetry more than a presentation of language by poets and for poets.

We don’t believe in a poetic language nor the best words in the best order, but rather believe that poetry is a procedural text that is subjected to the context in which it exists and the people who experience it. We want to deconstruct the classism and prejudice inherent in “good” language versus “bad” language use and, instead, celebrate the moment that language exists in.

In 2018, OBJECT:PARADISE held its first event, Poetry of Sound, at the Czech Inn in Prague, Czech Republic. The happening featured 8 readers, 1 improv musician, and a video projection of a woman giving birth. And, as the attendees of the event pieced together each element, the space itself became the poem--featuring words, sound, movement, and visuals.

We became obsessed with this feeling: poetry could be a happening, a party, a celebration--and everyone was invited to bring their own contributions and interpretations.

We found that with some orchestrated chaos and curation that distractions and disruptions could be seen also as part of the performance, alleviating pretensions of “poetry” “poet” and “poem” for both the performers and attendees of our events.

Since its creation, we have curated and directed various performances, installations, and multi-media projects in light of our Manifesto, generating a strong following of community members who seek to engage with a poetics that’s a contextually-dependent, interdisciplinary celebration.

The collective is currently managed by Tyko Say, Sandra Pasławska, and Jaromír Lelek.

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