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Susan Sontag
Rita Novel 2004.12.29 17:10
My favorite story about Susan Sontag was told by herself (I think in 1980s NEW YORKER article) where she recalls 'camping' outside Thomas Mann's house in Pacific Palisades in hope of meeting the author. She was ultimately invited in. Thomas Mann is my favorite author as well.
today 4 years ago:
We Critics (Academic Variety)
2000.12.29
In 10x10, the 10 critics, besides each listing ten architects, also each list ten references (i.e., texts/readings) in the back of the book. Of the 100 references, I am familiar and/or own about a dozen of them, however, one of Tom Heneghan's choices stands out for me:
William Gass, On Being Blue: A Philosophical Inquiry (Boston, MA: David R. Godine, 1991).
Heneghan says: "A book which examines the many meanings of 'blue'--suggesting that there are always new ways to look at something we think we know all about. New meanings that we can find in it, and give to it. Even the simplest notion can have almost infinite interpretations."
I agree with what Heneghan here says, and I'll add that On Being Blue is also a wonderful and inspiring work on the (often) magical nature of language. Additionally, On Being Blue was first published in 1976 (my copy being from the fifth printing, November 1979--I'm pretty sure I first
read the book in winter/spring 1982). I consequently purchased Gass' Fiction and the Figures of Life and The World Within the Word. Also, Gass got me to start reading Gertrude Stein, which turned out to be great 'word' fun.
So, with all these 'critical' lists, I'll offer the beginning of my 'top ten' references. The list is still formulating, but the six listed below will never come off the list.
1. William Huff, Symmetry: An Appreciation of Its Presence in Man's Consciousness. This is a series of (I think) 6 articles, three of which were reproduced within various editions of Oppositions. (I've managed to read four of the articles.) These works greatly influenced my 'design' thinking, and surely have a bearing on my seminal approach toward the theory of chronosomatics.
2. Thomas Mann, Joseph and His Brothers. (which I think is one of the ultimate designs of a story.)
3. William Gass, On Being Blue.
4. Leo Steinberg, The Sexuality of Christ in Renaissance Art and in Modern Oblivion.
5. Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human
6. Wittgenstein, Culture and Value.
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