Did He Write Over the Tape?

The Independent:

One of the oddest typescripts in literary history goes on display next Wednesday at Birmingham University's Barber Institute of Fine Arts. It's the first version of On the Road, the bible of the Beat generation, Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel of restless voyaging that sent a generation of Levi's-clad youths on a million road trips. ... He started the book in early April, averaged 4,000 to 5,000 words a day and finished it on 27 April. The taped-together typescript was a single scroll – indeed, a single paragraph – 127ft long.

I dispute this story. I believe that Kerouac wrote seven, maybe eight words a day over the course of several decades. The 127ft manuscript was pinched from a time travelling albino leper caught on his way to Disneyland. I cannot explain it any other way.

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Gnarly

One of many outstandingly rough eBook covers available for viewing at Caustic Cover Critic.

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Richard Serra at the Gagosian

A bit slow off the mark with this one, has been on since early October. Runs until 20th December. More information at the Gagosian Gallery website.

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mid)rib

The name reminds me of a game of Operation, only with words as the body instead of a cardboard cutout of what was in retrospect a hideously mutilated corpse with terrible hair. Still, you should check out the two issues of this website. via Silliman

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Shadowtrain 26

The new issue for November-December 2008 is available for viewing at the Shadowtrain website.

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Suggestions for Poet Laureate

[polldaddy poll=1143482]

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Tolling Elves

Hidden away onedit.

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Under Scan

I wonder if they have science where art comes from:

A huge interactive art installation has been launched in Trafalgar Square, London. The concept is the brainchild of Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, who depicts animated videos in the shadows of people as they walk through the famous city landmark. ... The artist was driven to create the installation by a feeling that technology has become inseparable from modern identity. "Even if you are a painter today, you are part of this technological culture, it is like a language rather than a tool," he added. ... The installation will operate from dusk until midnight 30 November. 

via the BBC

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Stephen Rodefer - Villon Translations

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0wO5iKWvp4E]

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Text Festival

For 12 weeks of next year Bury becomes a poetry place. Highlights of the itinerary so far:

• Phil Davenport
• work by Robert Grenier
• Geof Huth
• Tony Lopez
• Ron Silliman
• Carol Watts

Events will be kicking off in April '09, we'll follow Tony Trehy's progress as he makes cogs move. Keep up to speed here.

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