Zenithism was an avant-garde art movement unique to the Yugoslav region, distinct from other early twentieth century European movements in its centering of hybrid writing: the juxtaposition of visual and written elements to convey messages impossible through text alone. In celebration of the publication of Zenithism, 1921-1927: A Yugoslav Avant-Garde Anthology, the first English language anthology on this important but neglected art movement, join us for a discussion with editors Aleksandar Bošković and Steven Teref
Aleksandar Bošković (Columbia University) is a scholar of Russian and East European modernism, Yugoslav, post-Yugoslav and Balkan Studies, with a strong background in comparative literature, critical theory, and visual studies. He specializes in avant-garde literature and experimental art practices explored through the lens of comparative media. He is the author of a monograph about the most translated Yugoslav poet, Vasko Popa (2008, in Serbian), and co-editor of The Fine Feats, a Yugoslav Marxist-surrealist epic poem for Children (2022) and Zenithism: A Yugoslav Avant-Garde Anthology (2023).
Steven Teref is an independent writer, editor, and translator from Chicago, also serving as Editor for the Academic Studies Press series, Companions to Slavic Literature. His translations in collaboration with Maja Teref include Novica Tadić's Assembly and Ana Ristović's Directions for Use. The latter was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award and Best Translated Book Award, among others. His translations have appeared in The New Yorker, Columbia Journal, and Brooklyn Rail. He is the co-editor of Zenithism: A Yugoslav Avant-Garde Anthology with Bošković.