Gabriela Llarena reads from her new chapbook, The Things She Left Behind, at Book Culture LIC as part of Make/Shift's Spotlight Series. The reading will be followed by a discussion and open mic.
The Things She Left Behind by Gabriela explores her cultural heritage and relationship to the Philippines and Cuba through her grandmothers, Lola and Abuela. Writing these poems has been a means of processing the confusion that arises from her mixed cultural heritage.
Founded in 2018 by Oscar Klausner and Irene Lazaridis, Make/Shift is a playground for makers. They believe in giving space to the creative process, to allow makers to experiment, and to shift their perspective from what making is to what it can be. Make/Shift began in 2016 with Working Titles, a monthly gathering of makers to share and develop work. In the last year, Make/Shift has expanded to include Spotlight Series, an event that features the developing work of a Working Titles member, Summer Jam Sessions, a monthly summer rooftop art party, and Shop Productions, which provides makers with the next step in their creative process—the opportunity to put their work up in a workshop setting.