Because the Poet

Abstract

The transdisciplinary dialogue, the rebellious attitude, and the sublimation of dissidence by experimenting new forms as an act of hope are the key features of the relationship between Pier Paolo Pasolini and Patti Smith, who saluted the Italian writer as one of her greatest teachers throughout her entire career, along with Blake, Rimbaud and the Beats. From the poetry of Babel to the lyrics of Easter, passing through the photographic series Pasolini es vie, the eclectic American artist has never ceased to appraise the literary works and movies of this author as a constant source of inspiration, creating a bond that became very important to the audience but was never properly explored by the critics. In terms of reception, one should not forget that this original relationship also led many (especially outside Italy) to discover the figure of Pasolini. This article seeks to investigate Patti Smith’s Pasolini and the works that influenced her most, revealing through an intertextual and interdiscursive approach how the poet contributed to shape the imaginary and spiritual vision of one among the most important lyrical voices in the world today.