Tuesday, September 16, 2003

 
Not sure where this is from, Greil Marcus or Susan Buck-Morss?

Spatial versus temporal utopias: “A history of the term ‘utopia’ would certainly be able to document in suggestive detail its progressive enrichment with temporal elements since the day when in 1516 Thomas More published his De optimo rei publicae stata de que nova insula Utopia ” (63).

“Like heresy, then, utopia springs from a radical impatience with the imperfection of the world as it is, and claims that no matter how difficult to attain, perfection is accessible to man as a social being” (64, emphasis in original).

Bloch, Spirit of Utopia and Philosophy of the Future
J. Habermas, “Ernst Bloch—A Marxist Romantic”
posted by Open Mouth 6:55 PM

 
From the program of George Coates Performance Works’ musical adaptation of Valerie Solanas’ Up Your Ass:

“I dedicate this play to ME a continuous source of strength and guidance and without whose unflinching loyality [sic], devotion and faith this play would never been written.

"Additional acknowledgments:
"Myself-for proofreading, editorial comments, helpful hints, criticism and suggestions, and an exquisite job of typing.
"I—for independent research into men, married women, and other degenerates.”

-- Valerie Solanas, 1965
posted by Open Mouth 5:29 PM

 
At the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston, I found Russell Crotty, who draws and writes his astronomical notes on large lucite spheres hanging from the ceiling and HUGE (for example, 47 by 47 inches) books installed flat. Using ballpoint ink, Crotty records his field notes and diagrams the night sky seen from his backyard observatory, making his written words to form visual patterns across the page. There's no concern about process or material, just lines describing an experience of the stars.
posted by Open Mouth 12:49 AM