Ana Maria Caballero, Beyond the Page, WUF, Solo Press Showcase, Basel

“Beyond the Page” by Ana Maria Caballero, solo press showcase curated by Fakewhale, at WUF Basel, Bar Rouge, 11/06/2024 – 12/06/2024

On June 11-12, WUF Basel 2024 presented “Beyond the Page,” a solo press showcase by Ana Maria Caballero at Bar Rouge. Curated by Fakewhale, the showcase spotlighted Caballero’s pioneering work in digital poetry, marking significant developments over her last three years in the Web3 space.

Ana María Caballero, a Colombian-American poet, explores the powerful interplay between biology and societal norms, often critiquing the romanticized views of motherhood and the portrayal of sacrifice as virtue. With accolades such as the Beverly International Prize and Colombia’s José Manuel Arango National Poetry Prize, her works are widely acclaimed for their insightful exploration of cultural rites.

“Beyond the Page” featured a pivotal piece, “Waiting Room x Mammal,” a performative work that fused poetry with body language to articulate the nuanced emotions of her texts. This collaboration with Luis Gaspar, a noted Spanish photographer, emphasized the spontaneity and individuality of each performance, making each viewing a unique encounter.

Further enriching the showcase were pieces like “Mammal” and “Vasectomy” — works that extend her thematic exploration of bodily autonomy and societal expectations, using digital art to provoke thought and dialogue on contemporary issues. As well as “Things I Am Saving to Write”, which integrates AI with poetic prompts to generate visual narratives, bridging text and imagery to reflect on themes of mortality and existence.

Other featured works include:

• Things We Are Saving to Write
• Thin Lace
• Oración
• Juan
• Mammal One
• Fruition
• Cord

Ana Maria Caballero’s “Beyond the Page” blurs the line between traditional poetry and digital media, challenging viewers to rethink the role of poetry in the digital age.