Anerca, vol. 1 #6

Anerca, meaning “to breathe” or “to make poetry” in the Inuit language, is a Canadian small press poetry review. Edited by the trio Kedrick James, Wreford Miller, and Adeena Karasick, the sixth issue features contributions from poets Jill Duerr, Tim Lander, Li Min Hua, Jill Macdonald, Stephen Morrissey, and Christine Stewart.

The cover reveals a hand-drawn logo in outline, accompanied by illustrations. These two visual elements are supplemented by decorative stars (*) sparkling around the text, as well as make-shift guillemets using mathematical operators (< >) highlighting four titles. From the very first page, Anerca establishes itself as an experimental magazine, visually playful with its textual content.

The body text is composed of a set of four typewriter typefaces including Courier, and possibly “Imperial Elite” from an Olivetti Lettera 22 model. Two of them remain unidentified: the condensed version on Sessa’s page and the extended one, composing the mailing address on the back cover. They appear to related to Courier. The layout is complemented by Century Schoolbook for author names, along with University Roman, Pump, and Stam (all available from Letraset), used as illustrative elements on single glyphs and short words.

The layout seeks variation and freedom, incorporating unconventional text placements, shapes, alignment, spacing, as well as handwritings. Guided by the spirit of concrete poetry, the design transforms writings into visual language. Form and content are intricately intertwined, offering readers an intellectual and aesthetic experience through the pages.

The entire 6th issue of Anerca is accessible on JSTOR.