Patti Smith, the “Godmother of Punk”, the poet and visual artist talks about her life, work and passions with award-winning author Geoff Dyer.

It's the first Intelligence Squared event of 2011, and in true style, they're kicking off in a rather explosive fashion with an evening with the legendary Patti Smith. In 2010 she won the US National Book Award for her memoir Just Kids, which recounts her chance meeting and friendship with the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and the passion which fuelled their lifelong pursuit of art. The backdrop to these early years was the New York of Andy Warhol’s Factory, the Chelsea Hotel, Max’s Kansas City, Scribner’s Bookstore and Coney Island. Patti's friends were musicians and artists such as Allen Ginsberg, Sam Shepherd, Bobby Neuwirth and William Burroughs. She went on to record ten albums and in 2007 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has written five books and her artwork has been exhibited worldwide.
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COMPETITION: 1x Pair of tickets to attend IQ2: Patti Smith in conversation with Geoff Dyer at the Royal Geographical Society at 18:15 on Tuesday, 25th January.

To claim your tickets, send an email to vienna@run-riot.com with the correct answer in the ‘subject’ box. The winner will be randomly selected.

Q: Named the "Godmother of Punk", Patti Smith spent her entire childhood in Deptford Township, New Jersey, and was raised as a… what?

A: 1) House Cat .2) Jehovah's Witness .3) Scientific Study .4) Tibetan Buddhist