February 18, 2005

Grenier Festival Performance

In the early stages of curating the opening exhibition of the Text Festival, I wanted to show Robert Grenier's seminal poem, Sentences, (http://epc.buffalo.edu/authors/grenier/ ) and after some research found a rare copy located in a library in California. Sadly, the complications and costs of borrowing it were unsurmountable, but spotting mention on Silliman's blog of a Grenier show in New York, I pursued the link ( http://epc.buffalo.edu/authors/grenier/boesky2004.htm ) Ironically, it turned out easier and cheaper to buy 9 new works than to borrow Sentences. A conversation started up - initially around having copyright permission to reproduce the poems for education and publicity purposes. It turned out that Robert had become aware of the Festival and was actually quite keen to attend. Today we confirmed the visit: Robert will read at the Festival on Thursday 29 September.

Immanence and the Library of Babel

I have not read Jorge Luis Borges’ short story “The Library of Babel”. I am a very slow reader. I only read with a purpose. It is sufficient...