Francisco Serrano, poet
Encyclopedia
FRANCISCO SERRANO is a Mexican
poet
and writer
whose multiple works also include opera librettos
and publications in collaboration with painters. For over a decade, Serrano contributed actively to a variety of cultural affairs initiatives undertaken by the Mexican government.
, his city of origin. He studied political science
and filmmaking
at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
and French literature
at the Sorbonne University in Paris
. He was a poetry
scholarship
recipient from the Centro Mexicano de Escritores and from the Sistema Nacional de Creadores de Arte
.
An active participant in his native country’s cultural affairs for many years, Serrano’s past appointments and positions include: Coordinator of Publications for the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Publications and Libraries; Director of International Relations
for the National Institute of Fine Arts; and Chief Advisor roles with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretariat for International Cooperation, the National Council for Culture and Arts (Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes) and the National Institute of Anthropology and History
. For several years, he directed the publication of México en el Arte, and was an active collaborator on publications such as Casa del Tiempo, the newspapers El Nacional, La Jornada Semanal
and El Universal
, amongst others.
In 1971 he published his first book, Canciones egipcias. A disciple of Octavio Paz
, Serrano experimented with the use of random processes in poetic composition. In 1980, in collaboration with painter Arnaldo Coen and composer
Mario Lavista
, he was a co-creator of Mutaciones, Jaula, In/cubaciones, a piece of work combining design, music and poetry conceived as a tribute to American
composer John Cage
. In 1982, Serrano published Libro de hexaedros, a collection of sixty-four poems that together, reinterprets and synthesizes images and processes described in the hexagrams of the I Ching
. Libro de hexaedros served as the foundation for the creation of El cubo de los cambios, a piece of stochastic poetry which, again, was the result of a creative collaboration with Arnaldo Coen.
He ventured as well upon visual poetry and theater. He is the author of the dramatic poems: La rosa de Ariadna, used as the libretto in the opera of the same name written by Italian composer Gualtiero Dazzi, and which premiered in 1995 at the Musica Festival in Strasbourg
, France
; and En susurros los muertos, a musical, also with G. Dazzi, first presented at the Música y Escena Festival in Mexico
in 2005.
Serrano is the co-author of several books with Mexican painters Manuel Felguérez
, Vicente Rojo
, Gabriel Macotela and Roberto Cortázar
. He has published thirteen titles of poetry, including No es sino el azar (1984), Confianza en la materia (1997), Música de la lengua (1999), Aquí es ninguna parte (2000), Prosa del Popocatépetl (2005) and Cuenta de mis muertos (2006). His poems have been translated into English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Flemish, Swedish and Japanese. He is the author of various anthologies of Mexican and Latin American poetry and several books for children. He has also contributed to the enrichment of the Spanish language having penned literary translations of poetry first written by the Provençal troubadours, the Carmina Buranas
, the Book of Job
and various other works of mainly French and English poets. These translations are compiled in the volume entitled Movimiento de traslación.
Francisco Serrano lives and works in Mexico City.
• Poema del fino amor (1981)
• Libro de hexaedros (1982)
• No es sino el azar (1984)
• Alicuanta (1984)
• La rosa de Ariadna (1992)
• Música de la lengua (1999)
• Confianza en la materia (1997)
• Aquí es ninguna parte (2000)
• Al raso (2000)
• Poemas (1969–2000) (2003)
• Prosa del Popocatépetl (2006)
• Cuenta de mis muertos (2006)
• El cubo de los cambios, con Arnaldo Coen (1982)
• Ciudad Rota, con Gabriel Macotela (1986)
• Casas en el aire, con Gabriel Macotela (1991)
• Autobiografía de la creación, con Manuel Felguérez (1992)
• mutaciones transmutaciones in/cubaciones, con Arnaldo Coen (1992)
• Tierra volando, con Gabriel Macotela (1992)
• Ángeles cardinales, con Roberto Cortázar (1993)
• Prosa del Popocatépetl, con Vicente Rojo (2003)
• Orpheus in Underland (1996)
• Anhelo de amor (1997)
• En susurros los muertos (1998)
• Sol de movimiento (1999)
• Los vampiritos y el profesor (1986)
• La loquita frente al mar (1991)
• Esplendor de la América Antigua (1992)
• 24 poetas latinoamericanos (1997)
• Lecturas de poesía clásica, t. I (2000)
• Lecturas de poesía clásica, t. II (2001)
• El jardín de los pájaros (2005)
• El rey poeta (2006)
• Memorias de un esqueleto a la intemperie, viaje del año 1684, de Matsúo Basho (1995)
• La voz humana, de Jean Cocteau (2001)
• El libro de Job (2006)
• Movimiento de traslación (2009)
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
whose multiple works also include opera librettos
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
and publications in collaboration with painters. For over a decade, Serrano contributed actively to a variety of cultural affairs initiatives undertaken by the Mexican government.
Biography
Serrano initiated his studies at Colegio Madrid in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, his city of origin. He studied political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and filmmaking
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
National Autonomous University of Mexico
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a university in Mexico. UNAM was founded on 22 September 1910 by Justo Sierra as a liberal alternative to the Roman Catholic-sponsored Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (National Autonomous...
and French literature
French literature
French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. Literature written in French language, by citizens...
at the Sorbonne University in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He was a poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
recipient from the Centro Mexicano de Escritores and from the Sistema Nacional de Creadores de Arte
Sistema Nacional de Creadores de Arte
The Sistema Nacional de Creadores de Arte is a Mexican art association of the Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, that was founded per presidential decree of September 3, 1993. Aim is the advancement and acceptance of creative activities as an essential part of national identity and...
.
An active participant in his native country’s cultural affairs for many years, Serrano’s past appointments and positions include: Coordinator of Publications for the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Publications and Libraries; Director of International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
for the National Institute of Fine Arts; and Chief Advisor roles with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretariat for International Cooperation, the National Council for Culture and Arts (Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes) and the National Institute of Anthropology and History
National Institute of Anthropology and History
The Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia is a Mexican federal government bureau established in 1939 to guarantee the research, preservation, protection, and promotion of the prehistoric, archaeological, anthropological, historical, and paleontological heritage of Mexico...
. For several years, he directed the publication of México en el Arte, and was an active collaborator on publications such as Casa del Tiempo, the newspapers El Nacional, La Jornada Semanal
La Jornada
La Jornada is one of Mexico City's leading daily newspapers. It was established in 1984 by Carlos Payán Velver. The current editor is Carmen Lira Saade...
and El Universal
El Universal (Mexico City)
El Universal is a major Mexican newspaper.El Universal was founded by Félix Palavicini and Emilio Rabasa in October 1916, in the city of Santiago de Queretaro to cover the end of the Mexican Revolution and the creation of the new Mexican Constitution...
, amongst others.
In 1971 he published his first book, Canciones egipcias. A disciple of Octavio Paz
Octavio Paz
Octavio Paz Lozano was a Mexican writer, poet, and diplomat, and the winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature.-Early life and writings:...
, Serrano experimented with the use of random processes in poetic composition. In 1980, in collaboration with painter Arnaldo Coen and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Mario Lavista
Mario Lavista
Mario Lavista is a Mexican composer and writer. He has had numerous pieces published, especially chamber music, but also incidental music for plays, film scores, orchestral pieces, and vocal music....
, he was a co-creator of Mutaciones, Jaula, In/cubaciones, a piece of work combining design, music and poetry conceived as a tribute to American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
. In 1982, Serrano published Libro de hexaedros, a collection of sixty-four poems that together, reinterprets and synthesizes images and processes described in the hexagrams of the I Ching
I Ching
The I Ching or "Yì Jīng" , also known as the Classic of Changes, Book of Changes and Zhouyi, is one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts...
. Libro de hexaedros served as the foundation for the creation of El cubo de los cambios, a piece of stochastic poetry which, again, was the result of a creative collaboration with Arnaldo Coen.
He ventured as well upon visual poetry and theater. He is the author of the dramatic poems: La rosa de Ariadna, used as the libretto in the opera of the same name written by Italian composer Gualtiero Dazzi, and which premiered in 1995 at the Musica Festival in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; and En susurros los muertos, a musical, also with G. Dazzi, first presented at the Música y Escena Festival in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in 2005.
Serrano is the co-author of several books with Mexican painters Manuel Felguérez
Manuel Felguérez
Manuel Felguérez Aspe is a Mexican abstract artist.-Biography:Felguérez was born at the Hacienda de San Agustin del Vergel, in the town of Valparaíso, Zacatecas. At the time, in the wake of the Mexican Revolution, there were still uprisings by small guerrillas and land ownership was nothing less...
, Vicente Rojo
Vicente Rojo
Vicente Rojo may refer to:*Vicente Rojo Almazán, Spanish-Mexican artist laureated with the National Prize in Arts and Sciences*Vicente Rojo Lluch, Republican army officer during the Spanish Civil War...
, Gabriel Macotela and Roberto Cortázar
Roberto Cortazar
Roberto Cortazar is a Mexican painter. He was born on January 12, 1962, in Mexico City, but grew up in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico. He lives and works in his studio in Mexico City.-Academic training and activities:...
. He has published thirteen titles of poetry, including No es sino el azar (1984), Confianza en la materia (1997), Música de la lengua (1999), Aquí es ninguna parte (2000), Prosa del Popocatépetl (2005) and Cuenta de mis muertos (2006). His poems have been translated into English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Flemish, Swedish and Japanese. He is the author of various anthologies of Mexican and Latin American poetry and several books for children. He has also contributed to the enrichment of the Spanish language having penned literary translations of poetry first written by the Provençal troubadours, the Carmina Buranas
Carmina Burana
Carmina Burana , Latin for "Songs from Beuern" , is the name given to a manuscript of 254 poems and dramatic texts mostly from the 11th or 12th century, although some are from the 13th century. The pieces were written principally in Medieval Latin; a few in Middle High German, and some with traces...
, the Book of Job
Book of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
and various other works of mainly French and English poets. These translations are compiled in the volume entitled Movimiento de traslación.
Francisco Serrano lives and works in Mexico City.
Poetry
• Canciones egipcias (1979)• Poema del fino amor (1981)
• Libro de hexaedros (1982)
• No es sino el azar (1984)
• Alicuanta (1984)
• La rosa de Ariadna (1992)
• Música de la lengua (1999)
• Confianza en la materia (1997)
• Aquí es ninguna parte (2000)
• Al raso (2000)
• Poemas (1969–2000) (2003)
• Prosa del Popocatépetl (2006)
• Cuenta de mis muertos (2006)
Poetic Collaborations with Painters
• Mutaciones, Jaula, Incubaciones, con Arnaldo Coen y Mario Lavista (1980–81)• El cubo de los cambios, con Arnaldo Coen (1982)
• Ciudad Rota, con Gabriel Macotela (1986)
• Casas en el aire, con Gabriel Macotela (1991)
• Autobiografía de la creación, con Manuel Felguérez (1992)
• mutaciones transmutaciones in/cubaciones, con Arnaldo Coen (1992)
• Tierra volando, con Gabriel Macotela (1992)
• Ángeles cardinales, con Roberto Cortázar (1993)
• Prosa del Popocatépetl, con Vicente Rojo (2003)
Opera Librettos
• La rosa de Ariadna (1995)• Orpheus in Underland (1996)
• Anhelo de amor (1997)
• En susurros los muertos (1998)
• Sol de movimiento (1999)
Books for Children and Young Readers
• La luciérnaga, antología para niños de la poesía mexicana (1983)• Los vampiritos y el profesor (1986)
• La loquita frente al mar (1991)
• Esplendor de la América Antigua (1992)
• 24 poetas latinoamericanos (1997)
• Lecturas de poesía clásica, t. I (2000)
• Lecturas de poesía clásica, t. II (2001)
• El jardín de los pájaros (2005)
• El rey poeta (2006)
Translations
• Carmina Burana (1991)• Memorias de un esqueleto a la intemperie, viaje del año 1684, de Matsúo Basho (1995)
• La voz humana, de Jean Cocteau (2001)
• El libro de Job (2006)
• Movimiento de traslación (2009)
External links
- francisco-serrano.com Francisco Serrano's Official Website
- Francisco Serrano CIDCLI - Books for Children and Young Readers