X by X.

New York: Students of Wagner College,, 1963. First edition, sole printing, one of 150 copies distributed at no cost, inscribed by the contributor Gerard Malanga in the year of publication at the head of his contribution, "For Gene - Soon poems will be everywhere. Gerard. 22 May 63". X by X is an attractively illustrated magazine featuring the works of student-poets at Wagner College, Staten Island. Loosely inserted is the Wagner Poets's flyer for a poetry reading that took place on 23 November 1962 at the Living Theatre in New York, a venue notable for hosting "the oldest experimental theatre group in the USA" (Malina and Beck, p. 116); Malanga was one of the performers at the event. The flyer's verso prints reviews of the Wagner Literary Magazine, which Allen Ginsberg describes as "the best college magazine in America", while Sir Herbert Read writes "congratulations for an exciting performance". Gerard Malanga (b.1943) is a poet, photographer, actor, and filmmaker who the New York Times described as Andy Warhol's "most important associate" given the major influence he exerted on The Factory. Malanga's contribution to this magazine, entitled "When Youth Shall This Generation Waste" (leaves 23-25), is an impassioned meditation on wasted and fulfilled desire: "Knowing you has made me understand the secrets Exchanged within the public rest rooms, That shrink towards you, that tells me, tells me that I want you". This issue also includes an early piece by the poet, critic, and art historian David Shapiro, entitled "The Crime". There were also issued 20 copies for sale, signed by the poets and illustrator, and five reserved for presentation. WorldCat traces eight institutional locations, all in the US. Octavo. Original white card folder lettered in pink and containing 35 loose leaves printed on recto only. With 12 full-page sketch illustrations, one for each poem, by Professor Tom Young. Wrappers a little nicked, rubbed, and toned, crease to rear wrapper and to a couple of sheets, stain to lower left corners of two sheets, contents unaffected, overall sharp. In very good condition, the loosely inserted flyer with one shallow marginal chip. Judith Malina & Julian Beck, "'Paradise Now': Notes", The Improvisation Studies Reader: Spontaneous Acts, 2015.