I AM THE FIRST CONSCIOUSNESS OF CHAOS collects the key noirs lithographs, etchings and charcoals of Odilon Redon, perhaps the most enigmatic and esoteric figure in the artistic lineage that leads directly from Symbolism to Surrealism. Never previously available in a single trade volume, the majority of Redon s noirs over 250 illustrations are finally collated here, along with illuminating excerpts from the decadent texts which inspired their creation. Authors featured include J-K Huysmans, Gustave Flaubert, Charles Baudelaire, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, St John the Divine, Edgar Allan Poe and...

Self-portrait poems from 67 poets around the world. The authors offer portraits of themselves that are, by turns, humorous, heartfelt, harrowing, honest, stunning, surreal, and full of surprises.

Contributors include: Kathryn Almy, Cynthia Anderson, Ivan Arguelles, Ronald Baatz, Suvojit Banerjee, Carol Berg, Alan Birkelbach, Eric Burke, Ana Maria Caballero, Mary-Marcia Casoly, Tobi Cogswell, Beth Copeland, Anthony Costello, Tasha Cotter, Kaila Davis, Rodrigo V. Dela Pena, Jr., Daniel Patrick Delaney, David Diaz, Barbara Eknoian, Adelle Foley, Jack Foley, Michael Friedman,...