This week's feature is Roman, @romanisdead a poet from the valley. I met him an event held by Craft Cultura, @craftcultura by the name of Untamed Tongues: Poets Sin Fronteras. At the event Roman not only spoke on his condition being Deaf, but also tackling mental health awareness with his poetry. Speaking to Roman and mentioning how as an artists coming straight out and sharing a few words on these vulnerabilities that artists depict through their art, music, and any other creative outlet can help us as the audience understand and even express what we as the individual can't put into words at times. This week's feature is Roman V. Alcázar.
He starts us off by sharing what he's been enjoying as of recently "I have been enjoying the hell out of cycling! Great way to social distance and get some exercise in." I was actually cycling for awhile, but I was telling some of my friends that the bike seat keeps bending and just doesn't sit right and well it HURTS. I would love to get back to cycling one day. He goes on to share a few local creatives as well "So many new favorite artists! They range from poets to designers and musicians-- the Craft Cultura collective, Octoabe, Nautilus vs. Pangolin just to name a few." I've met Octoabe and some of the members of craft cultura! I've heard of that band before, but I'll be sure to check them out!
As I begin by asking Roman how long has he been writing for and is this his own creative outlet or does he also do anything else to express himself as he says "A little over 10 years I would say. I remember my first poem was written as a joke and I realized I might have a knack for it. Cycling has to be up there as my way of expressing myself as well. I used to play around with the drums but I never got serious with that. I'm down to get back into it though." It all starts somewhere. I wonder what that joke could have been maybe he'll tell it to us next time!
At culture cultura you read us a poem on your disability being deaf and how does that feel sharing that with us? As mentioned at the event that is a part of the artists showing their vulnerability to the public, but without this how would we understand or understand and artist and connect as he shares with me "It felt amazing to just be open about it. I became comfortable with my deafness long before the poetry festival but it's still something I'm learning about as I grew up with the hearing community and not the Deaf and HOH. I absolutely agree that an artist must be vulnerable when performing to be grounded to reality and express something beautiful." I truly agree that being able to take that moment show your vulnerability not only to express beauty to it can even help others as previously mentioned. Being able to create and be comfortable as well is good to hear as Roman continues to create work. I look forward to seeing him up on stage again one day.
From all the work he has posted on his Instagram does he have any favorite poem(s) he's created? As he says "Right now my favorite poem I wrote is a haiku called Compositions. It's a story about rethinking life and death through our existence as a continuous event that is the universe expressing itself. I don't want to get too philosophical but, on an ontological level, none of this is real. Or is it? Who knows." Hay compadre no diga cosas asi porque ima be thinking about it outside with a beer for awhile once I read it. That's the thing. When a haiku consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. With these "limitations" still being able to create something powerful with so "little." I remember I was playing Ghost Of Tsushima and there was certain parts of the game exploring the wilderness and you would take a moment from battle or take a moment to relax and see the beauty of your environment and make a haiku witch what was provided to you. It was always something amazing.
What are Roman's thoughts on the cultura event and his participation? "I'm here for it. To be a part of it is such an honor and a privilege. Big things are on the way." I look forward to more Craft Cultura events, but I'm always working during them big RIP. As Roman says "big things are on the way" I truly wonder. Another Untamed Tongues event??
What are some of the themes Roman writes on as he explains "Typically death, though I try to touch on everything but from a darker perspective usually. I used to be a funeral director and embalmer, so you can imagine where my inspiration comes from." With what he mentions I can make the connection, but looking through his work what do you think? You can his poetry over at his Instagram page. I asked due to reading and seeing the words "death" "life" and "rebirth" in his poetry, but I really enjoy it.
What do you enjoy writing about? Is it from personal experiences or? " I really just enjoy writing anything that speaks to me on a personal level. I tend to incorporate philosophy into my stories and that brings me joy. It is all definitely from personal experiences." I really enjoy reading and watching philosophy videos a lot so reading and thinking through Roman's work is nice. I'm glad to see the connection and knowing he puts his own interests into his work.
Reading through a couple of poems and seeing the words or the ideas of "life and death" used in many different ways is really interesting. What are your thoughts on the words shared on these topics as he explains "I think we need to expand what we perceive as life and death in that we rewrite what it means to exist." As Roman mentions "rewrite" and "what it means to exist" as I take the key words to be "rewrite" and "exist" and think as a person, thinking as myself what does it mean for me to exist and what does it mean for me to live? The death of the individual I once was years ago to the one rewritten and continue a new page as a new day unfolds. "Life and Death" and really be used for multiple things and I like that.
How does Roman wish to grow with his work? "I want to grow old with my work while constantly learning in the academic disciplines I'm interested in. It gives me a sense of purpose and it really is just for me as way of coping. Nowadays I find myself engaged with utilizing my poetry as a means of resistance and protest to the eurocentric context that we are living in. As Xicano, I will be a part of movements to give voice to the voiceless and enact these progressive ideologies through words and actions. Viva La Raza." As Roman previously said big things are coming and I look forward to it as he shares how passionate he is by it all.
As someone reads one of your poems, what do you wish for them to get out of it?
"More than anything, curiosity and inspiration" It truly kept me going as I read one by one.
What are your thoughts on the local art scene in the valley?
"It is lit! I feel like the Valley is about to blow up. We have some amazing talent right here."
As he shares on final comment,
" I appreciate all the love and support, it's been awhile since I've felt at home. Puro pinche 956."
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