Andrei Voznesensky (1933–2010)

Voznesensky initially studied architecture but abandoned it for literature during the late 1950s. His first two collections of verse, Mosaic and Parabola (both 1960), displayed great energy, verbal virtuosity, and inventiveness---all continuing hallmarks of his writing. During the 1960s, show more Voznesensky became extremely popular in the Soviet Union. He published several important volumes, including Antiworlds (1964) and Achilles' Heart (1965). He also made many trips to Western Europe and the United States, achieving wide international recognition. His themes---modern urban life, technology's impact on civilization, artistic freedom---have proved appealing to both Russian and foreign audiences. Voznesensky was in and out of trouble with the Soviet authorities. Although he enjoyed much more latitude than most writers and received a major government prize for his poetry, he was outspoken on creative freedom and involved in the unofficial Metropol' collection. Voznesensky continues to experiment actively, exploring a variety of verbal and visual devices. (Bowker Author Biography) show less