PHILADELPHIA -- Kenneth Goldsmith, a visual artist of vast range, has been appointed Fellow in Poetics and Poetic Practice at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing.

The fellowship project seeks to deepen connections between young writers at Penn and writers of heterodox poetic practice whose work doesn't neatly fit into academic categories.

As part of his appointment, which lasts through the fall semester, Goldsmith will teach an undergraduate writing seminar that integrates creative writing and poetics called "Uncreative Writing."  He will join the Penn community of writers, critics and friends of contemporary writing participating in workshops, readings and talks at Penn's Kelly Writers House and the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing.  

Goldsmith, an innovative poet who has created and continually edits a comprehensive Web site of visual, concrete and sound poetry called UbuWeb, holds a BFA in sculpture.  His most recent work includes "Day," "Head," "Citations" and "Soliloquy."  His earlier books and compact discs include "Tizzy Boost," a collaboration with Bruce Andrews; "73 Poems," with essays by Robert Mahoney, John Schaefer and Geoffrey Young; "No. 111 2.7.96-19.20.96" and "Fidget," Goldsmith's transcription of every movement made by his body during 13 hours on Bloomsday in 1997.

A Webcast of Goldsmith's Sept. 21, 2000, visit to Kelly Writers House, is available at www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/webcasts/goldsmith.html.