We caught up with Ben Zarov, co-founder of the new Spittoon community in Lisbon, Portugal. This interview was conducted before the pandemic got real, but the enthusiasm Ben shows for community building still holds strong across Spittoon. We’re all looking forward to new gatherings together and safe on the other side of this thing. Follow Spittoon Lisbon’s announcements on Facebook.
1. What are your own connections to poetry and creative writing?
I wrote my first poem, “Colors,” around age 5 and continued to write throughout my youth. I began to take writing, especially poetry, more serious in college after taking The Craft of Poetry course taught by Ralph Savarese. Blogging has been a passion of mine for the past seven years. I’ve been writing privately and creatively almost daily since 2013 when I began a “500 words a day project.” Though I don’t always reach my word count goal. My first job after college was at Pande Literary, a boutique literary agency located in Harlem, New York. My role was to scour the slush pile for promising creative works. I took a Summer Publishing Course at University of New York where I met dozens of industry professionals, many of whom are working at major houses. I interned at Publishers Weekly, a trade magazine, mailing galley copies from publishers to a wide network of reviewers around the United States. I also edited book reviews and published a few reviews of my own. After that I interned at Kobo, right before it was bought by Ratuken. It is a digital publishing company. My entire life I’ve loved books and the written word. It is one of my callings.
2. What were your experiences of the Beijing Spittoon Collective like?
My first memories of Spittoon were at Mado bar in Baochao. I remember Matt reading T. S. Elliot and a Mexican poet reading a poem encompassing the history of the universe. It was the first time I had heard so many unique voices together in one room, raw, authentic, unpretentious, just people sharing their creativity openly. Simon’s wrestling poem and the line about the white rabbit at the Chinese business dinner! I could go on and on. Chris Carpenter’s odd, spiraling M.C. Escheresque metafiction . . . Deva’s science fiction. While in Beijing I tried to make it to as many events as I could. I met friends at fiction night that visited me in my hometown of Portland. I performed my first slam with the Spittoon crew. A few pieces of my flash fiction appeared in the first issue of the Spittoon magazine. It’s difficult to articulate what those experiences mean to me. For the first time in my life I felt (feel) like I belonged to a literary community. I met writers who challenged me, writers who inspired me, writers who brought me to tears, and many who brought me and the room to laughter. It was a refuge from the stress of Beijing life. It has astounded me how much Spittoon has grown since those early days.
3. Tell us a little about the literary and arts scene in Lisbon. What’s exciting about it?
I’m new to the scene. The people I’ve met have been friendly and accepting. The visual arts scene is incredible. Dozens of galleries and shops showcasing local talent. It’s a very collaborative and accessible community. There are also world class museums and collections.
4. How has your Spittoon Collective grown so far and what’s the experience been like?
It’s grown from a seed of an idea to a three person team and an upcoming event with substantial buzz. Everyday colleagues and friends ask me about Spittoon and poetry. Looking forward to delivering and showing them and others what Spittoon is about . . . hoping it will live up to expectations!
5. What kind of things do you think Spittoon can bring to Lisbon and what kind of projects would you like to initiate in the future?
Ler Devagar, my favorite bookshop in the city, has agreed to meet to discuss an event in their shop. I’m thrilled about this opportunity. I’ve been courting the staff since I landed in Lisbon. The owner of my local pub is keen to do an event and I’m thinking of a storytelling night. I’ve spoken to a few folks with the gift of gab and they are interested.
6. What kind of shape do you think arts collectives will take in the future? Bearing in mind factors like technology, increased communication, etc.
What a question! Arts collectives in general or Spittoon? I think that these types of endeavors create a synergy. Each will depend on the people, ideas, and attitudes involved. Although technology allows communication in a literal sense it doesn’t necessarily mean increased communication in a tangible sense; medium can be as important as message. Real communication is a constant, collaborative process and isn’t synonymous with connection. Don’t take me as a cynic or a luddite, on the contrary, but I do believe that technology is only a means to an end. That being said,I love, love, love the Spittoon Connect events that are happening and just the idea of having a room of people in China connecting to a room of people in Lisbon connecting to a room of people in Ethopia connecting to a room of people in Lativa connecting to a room of people in Sweden connecting to a room of people in . . . ? It’s beautiful.
7. What are your general plans in Lisbon, what’s to look forward to?
The first Spittoon event at Anjos70 on 20/2/20! My general plans are to continue doing what I’m doing, growing as a scientist, poet, writer, and person.
Ben Zarov has published work with Spittoon, New York University Summer Publishing Institute, The Indiana Review, Thought Catalog, Publishers Weekly, and the Rap Industry Fan Fiction. A prolific poet, he has authored one published book of poetry and multiple digital projects. His poetry has been sold in four countries. Ben is excited to help grow and develop Spittoon Lisbon into something special. His hobbies include wandering, train travel, learning new things, reading, writing, painting, and guitar. Ben currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal and works as a research technician in the field of neuroscience. He is fascinated by the intersection of seemingly disparate fields and devoted to community development.