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Monash poet slam dunks for National Science Week

24 August 2005

Monash poet and Monash Student Association arts and media manager Mr Philip Norton will this week launch his new science-inspired poetry collection "Teach Yourself Atomic Physics".

Phil Norton, author of "Teach Yourself Atomic Physics".

Mr Norton performed his interpretations of quantum mechanics and the speed of light on ABC radio program PoeticA as part of National Science Week last week. His collection of poems is being launched at the Melbourne Writers' Festival this week.

Mr Norton first began writing as a teenager in Chicago where he participated in poetry slams, or live poetry competitions.

"Slams are like hip hop battles except without the music," Mr Norton said.

"There are judges and set criteria. It's poem against poem, poet against poet."

"I was lucky enough to not only be influenced by these awesome experiences but also be part of the birth of what is now a worldwide phenomenon known as Fusion Poetry."

Mr Norton has published two poetry collections, edited Short Fuse - an anthology of New Fusion poetry - and is currently working on a post-modern novel, Gristle.

He has also collaborated with Sonic Animation, an Australian dance duo, for the track "This is not a love poem" for which he wrote and spoke the lyrics.

His latest publication "Teach Yourself Atomic Physics" is a collection of humorous poems that explore physics.

Mr Norton said he aimed to make science and poetry more accessible to the general public through his poetry performances.

"New fusion poetry combines the structure and tradition of page poetry with the accessibility and excitement of live performance," he said.

"Through my poetry I like to play around with the idea of making science, which can be quite a cold, distant and abstract area of study for some, more personal and accessible."

"I do live performances involving video projection and electronic music that I've composed. I'm really pleased that by doing so, I'm showing the world of poetry to an increasingly larger audience."

National Science Week is an annual nationwide festival that aims to increase community awareness and understanding of the role of science, technology and innovation in everyday life and in our future.

As part of the festival the Faculty of Science launched 'Einstein's Lighthouse -- The Australian Synchrotron', a free public lecture series by seven of Monash Science's researchers who discuss synchrotron use in their research.

The Australian synchrotron, located at the Clayton campus, is advancing research and development in areas including medical research, forensics and engineering.

"Teach Yourself Atomic Physics" by Philip Norton will be launched at The Age Melbourne Writer's Festival on August 27, 6 pm at the Malthouse Theatre. It is available at the Monash Bookstore for $16.95.

Further information about the 'Einstein's Lighthouse -- The Australian Synchrotron' lecture series is available at the Faculty of Science website.