Buy book one, Traitor Comet! In a small storefront on the rue de Grenelle where the Surrealist Research Bureau made its headquarters, we sat on hard chairs with about a dozen young men in a cramped room, and were subjected to a long and tedious lecture by the founder of the movement, André Breton. HeContinue reading “From Book 1: The Surrealist Research Bureau”
Author Archives: nonpersonne
From Book 1: Sleep-Driving
Buy book one, Traitor Comet! JACQUES RIVIERE TO ANTONIN ARTAUD Dear Sir, Something puzzles me: the sharp contrast between the vagueness of your literary efforts and the excruciating precision with which you diagnose your inner erosion. Had I no other evidence, your handwriting—tortured, wavering, as if pulled in by hidden whirlpools—convinces me of the realityContinue reading “From Book 1: Sleep-Driving”
The Cenci Performed in Iran
Artaud’s Les Cenci, as directed by Amin Saeedi, will be performed in Tehran on September 15. Download QR
From Book 4: Someone is Imitating Artaud
The Sins of Nin, Part One. The Sins of Nin, Part Two. NOTE: While I use Anaïs Nin’s Diary as a source for events, after years of studying Artaud’s letters to both men and women I find her conclusion that Artaud was gay and attracted to Nin’s husband Hugh Guiler to be a load ofContinue reading “From Book 4: Someone is Imitating Artaud”
Link: Sylvere Lotringer on Artaud (video)
Excellent lecture on Antonin Artaud, given at the Walker Art Center. Lotringer has done so much to raise awareness of Artaud in English-speaking cultures. Download QR
From Book 1: All I Ask is Life
Buy book one, Traitor Comet! Artaud stood over me as I leafed through the strange little piece I’d written the day before, but his face, when I finally looked up at it, showed no anger. Genica had held her tongue, it seemed. I resolved to apologize to her; then I decided not to andContinue reading “From Book 1: All I Ask is Life”
From Book 2: We are in a Novel
“Do you want to know the truth?” Louis said, suddenly despondent. “I don’t sense the presence of any great mystery. The only reason I’ve blundered into being a painter is that I don’t know what else to do with myself. I’m not religious. I’m not interested in getting married or starting a family. GoodContinue reading “From Book 2: We are in a Novel”
From Book 2: Youki
Huge snowflakes fell, crisp and glittering, etching the trees and the railings and the eaves in silver for a brief and fragile dusting. It was very cold, unusually so, and the slush on the sidewalks had turned to ice. “This is rare for Paris,” Louis remarked. “The first time I saw snow I was threeContinue reading “From Book 2: Youki”
From Book 3: Cécile and Sacrifice
NOTE: This scene is based on a section of Cecile Schramme’s memoirs, Souvenirs familiers sur Antonin Artaud, Messidor, 1980 Rene Thomas’s studio was a workshop with a skylight and wooden stairs leading to a loft with bedrooms and a bathroom. He and Sonia shared the workshop, although she also had a small working spaceContinue reading “From Book 3: Cécile and Sacrifice”
From Book 3: Paul!
I passed the Coupole, then the Dôme, looking in each for anyone I knew. Seeing no one, I continued down the boulevard and walked without purpose, enjoying the darkness that stretched above me. “Monsieur Weidmann!” It was a familiar woman’s voice. I turned and saw the face of Lise Deharme as she hurried up toContinue reading “From Book 3: Paul!”