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One of Europe's greatest living philosophers, Giorgio Agamben, analyzes the life and work of one of Europe's greatest poets, Friedrich Hölderlin. What does it mean to inhabit a place or a self? What is a habit? And, for human beings, doesn't living mean--first and foremost--inhabiting? Pairing a detailed chronology of German poet Friedrich Hölderlin's years of purported madness with a new examination of texts often considered unreadable, Giorgio Agamben's new book aims to describe and comprehend a life that the poet himself called habitual and inhabited. Hölderlin's life was split neatly in two: his first 36 years, from 1770 to 1806; and the 36 years from 1807 to 1843, which he spent as a madman holed up in the home of Ernst Zimmer, a carpenter. The poet lived the first half of his existence out and about in the broader world, relatively engaged with current events, only to then spend the second half entirely cut off from the outside world. Despite occasional visitors, it was as if a wall separated him from all external events and relationships. For reasons that may well eventually become clear, Hölderlin chose to expunge all character--historical, social, or otherwise--from the actions and gestures of his daily life. According to his earliest biographer, he often stubbornly repeated, "nothing happens to me." Such a life can only be the subject of a chronology--not a biography, much less a clinical or psychological analysis. Nevertheless, this book suggests that this is precisely how Hölderlin offers humanity an entirely other notion of what it means to live. Although we have yet to grasp the political significance of his unprecedented way of life, it now clearly speaks directly to our own.

The first complete publication of Robert Walser's poems translated into English. Admired by the likes of Kafka, Musil, and Walter Benjamin and acclaimed "unforgettable, heart-rending" by J. M. Coetzee, Swiss writer Robert Walser (1878-1956) remains one of the most influential authors of modern literature. Walser left school at fourteen and led a wandering and precarious existence while producing poems, stories, essays, and novels. In 1933, he abandoned writing and entered a sanatorium, where he remained for the rest of his life. "I am not here to write," Walser said, "but to be mad." This first collection of Walser's poems in English translation allows English-speaking readers to experience the author as he saw himself at the beginning and the end of his literary career--as a poet. The book also includes notes on dates of composition, draft versions of the printed poems, and brief biographical information on characters and locations that appear in the poems and may not be known to readers. Few writers have ever experienced such a steady rise in their reputation and public profile as Walser has seen in recent years, and this collection of his poems will help readers discover a unique writer whose off-kilter sensibility and innovations in form are perfectly suited to our fragmented, distracted, bewildering era.

For more than three decades, the author has explored in his work the nature of subjectivity, the possibilities of revolution, the Enlightenment's legacy in Africa, and the nature of time itself. In this book, he explains the key concerns of his art, including the virtues of bastardy, the ethics of provisionality, and the activity of the viewer.

A poet, philosopher, essayist, playwright, actor, and director, Antonin Artaud was a visionary writer and a major influence within and beyond the French avant-garde. A key text for understanding his thought and his appeal, 50 Drawings to Murder Magic is rooted in the nine years Artaud spent in mental asylums, struggling with schizophrenia and the demonic, persecutory visions it unleashed. Set down in a dozen exercise books written between 1946 and 1948, these pieces trace Artaud's struggle to escape a personal hell that extends far beyond the walls of asylums and the dark magicians he believed ran them. The first eleven notebooks are filled with fragments of writing and extraordinary sketches: totemic figures, pierced bodies, and enigmatic machines, some revealing the marks of a trembling hand, others carefully built up from firm, forceful pencil strokes. The twelfth notebook, completed two months before Artaud's death in 1948, changes course: it's an extraordinary text on the loss of magic to the demonic--the piece that gives the book its title. "Artaud matters," wrote John Simon in the Saturday Review years ago. Nearly seventy years after his death, that remains true--perhaps more than ever.

When apartheid ended in 1994, a radiant national optimism suggested a bright future for the new, unified South Africa. Using the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a starting point, this book includes essays that explore texts from every corner of South Africa in an attempt to remap the borders of her country's communities.

Poems from a new Slovak voice reminiscent of Rilke and Sharon Olds. An evocative collection by Slovak poet Eva Luka, The Minotaur's Daughter seamlessly melds the human and natural worlds, weaving motifs of mythology, nature, and personal freedom into a tapestry of vivid imagery and profound emotion. The poems traverse settings from Japan to mythic landscapes, exploring the complexities of sexuality, desire, and transition. Central to Luka's work is the theme of resistance--against societal pressures and psychic harm. Her poetic voice defies artistic conformity, merging human and animal identities to challenge gender norms and explore mutable identities. Through this innovative fusion, her poems capture both the terror and beauty of existence, drawing parallels to Rilke's metaphysical explorations while grounding her work in the pantheistic and protoplasmic. Journeying through darkness and light, The Minotaur's Daughter reveals an unwavering commitment to artistic and personal truth, establishing Luka as a formidable voice of resistance in contemporary European poetry.

This volume dives deep into how art reflects the ever-evolving relationship between humanity and nature, exploring industrialization's impact on cultural practices and memory. In The Concept of Tradition and Other Essays, K. G. Subramanyan explores questions about art and tradition, such as whether tradition is more than a mere linear progression of artifacts and ideas. He also explores how art reflects on the evolving relationship between nature and humanity and the impact industrialization has had on our aesthetic sensibilities. He interrogates the structures that transmit cultural knowledge across generations while exploring whether tradition can serve as a viable framework for human endeavor in modern society. Subramanyan brings his trademark candor, lucidity, and wisdom to these reflections and responses.

These insightful essays explore how the intersection of artistic and scientific pursuits shapes creative processes. In this collection of essays by one of India's most celebrated artists, K. G. Subramanyan explores many questions that have shaped his art and his process. Among the ideas that shape this collection are such questions as how does the artist's eye manipulate her view of the world?; was a visual defect responsible for the birth of impressionism?; what is the grammar of the art language?; how can rasa theory help explain the aesthetic experience of visual art?; and what drives artistic and scientific pursuits, and how do aesthetic experiences shape the creative process in both domains? In A Matter of Perspective and Other Essays, Subramanyan answers these questions with his trademark candor, lucidity, and wisdom, shedding new light on his work and creative philosophy.

This volume of essays examines and celebrates how cross-cultural encounters have shaped modern art, a crucial reminder in today's political landscape. In The Local and the Global and Other Essays, K. G. Subramanyan investigates the fate of multiculturalism in a globalized world. He interrogates questions about when art stopped being subservient to the dictates of the calendar and explores how artistic traditions maintain their identity in a global context. Examining how cross-cultural encounters have shaped and absorbed artistic practices across borders, he also discusses the societal and individual role of art and how it has evolved from prehistoric times to modernity. Subramanyan brings his trademark candor, lucidity, and wisdom to these reflections and responses.

An examination of the dependence and independence of the artist in the contemporary world in which they must choose between consumerism and state support. In Theory Text Context and Other Essays, K. G. Subramanyan asks what exactly we mean by the patron when we speak of modern art. Seeking to understand the conditions necessary for a cultural renaissance to occur, he also wonders whether a cultural renaissance is even possible and if it can be more than the mere revival of old forms and manners. Exploring whether theories of art are timeless or time-bound, he discusses advances in visual art and how they influence our perception of art history. Subramanyan brings his trademark candor, lucidity, and wisdom to these reflections and responses.

A poignant exploration of post-World War II life, blending fictional and non-fictional stories that challenge traditions and reflect on the enduring impact of historical disruptions.    Lifespan Narratives has to do with stories, fictitious and not, which present a sad chronicle and question tradition from several different perspectives. Originally comprising Alexander Kluge's first book, these stories were written between the years 1958 and 1962, in which he emphasizes the importance of continuously questioning our past. He underscores the necessity of recounting lifespan narratives even from today's viewpoint, proposing that "life in a time of disruption" should be viewed as a constant experiential substance, transcending any single era.   In Lifespan Narratives, readers are invited to explore the enduring impact of historical disruptions through Kluge's masterful storytelling, which remains as relevant today as it was in the years following the Second World War. For this edition, the English translation of a selection of stories by Leila Vennewitz has been expanded by Alexander Booth in conjunction with the author.

Weaving together history, literature, and personal experience, this recent book from a master of literature crafts a mesmerizing exploration of language, loss, and the enduring power of the spirit world.    The strange word "Mdeilmm" was reported to have been uttered by the spirit of Shakespeare when called up during a séance in 1854 at the instigation of the French poet Victor Hugo. Hugo was then living in exile on the island of Jersey where he took part in several such séances. Hélène Cixous weaves this scene into a rich tapestry that draws from many corners of her world, both real and fictional: Dostoevsky's Idiot, Hugo's Last Day of a Condemned Man, Poe's story "The Gold Bug," but also film footage of the assassination of Itzhak Rabin and many layers of memories of her Algerian childhood. Transcribed communications from spirits of the departed, her father and grandfather among them, provide a fascinating glimpse into past spiritual practices.     Cixous's unique narrative style enhances the book's enchanting quality, ensuring that readers are not only engaged by the content but also captivated by the beauty of the prose. Meanwhile, the reader falls under the spell of the author's incomparable "mole speech," the language in which poets communicate.

An essay that deftly deconstructs the history of 'Islamic architecture', challenging colonial narratives and promoting an inclusive understanding of Islam. In The Music of Stones, Sohail Hashmi delves into the intricate history and misconceptions surrounding Islamic architecture and culture. Challenging colonial and orientalist narratives, Hashmi reveals that iconic elements like domes and minarets were not originally part of early Islamic structures but later additions influenced by various cultures, primarily Persian and Turkish. Through engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking theories, Hashmi deconstructs the monolithic view of Islamic culture, emphasizing its rich and diverse heritage shaped by Sufi, Central Asian, and other regional influences. He highlights the importance of historical context and the dangers of oversimplifying complex cultural identities. The Music of Stones invites readers to reconsider the architectural and cultural legacy of Islam, advocating for a more inclusive and evidence-based understanding that transcends reductive labels and celebrates the richness of its diverse traditions.

An accessible monograph that invites readers to rethink traditional historical boundaries in its exploration of myth and memory. Looking Back through Our Identities explores the intricate relationship between myth and history in shaping the identities of diverse Indian communities. Through a meticulous analysis of ancient texts and oral traditions, Aloka Parasher Sen examines how the past is interpreted and navigated by groups like the Chenchus, an indigenous people from southern and eastern India. Sen discusses the role of myth in providing alternative histories, challenging linear, elite-centric historical narratives. Sen also addresses the significance of memory and visual representation in preserving history, advocating for a broader understanding that encompasses multiple perspectives and identities. Looking Back through Our Identities offers a comprehensive and inclusive view of India's cultural heritage.

A tale of mercenaries and myths, set amid the political turmoil of Bengal. In the largely undocumented sphere of political violence in eastern India, Qadir the Spider is a mythological killer and casanova, known for the various assassinations and liaisons he carries out across the region. His oldest son Rahim is the latest entry to the field. A 13-year-old killer, the boy bides his time like his father-killing, farming, and getting high as the battles go on around him. In this world where they only follow orders, mutilation becomes their only expression, the nature of violence their only meaningful form of autonomy in the various power struggles of interior Bengal. After his first year in the field, as the child is groomed by his father to carry on the ways of their mercenary clan, he begins to confront the various legends surrounding the Spider. However, while roaming the strange, spectral forests surrounding the town, his chance encounter with a pair of wandering musicians leads him to question the killings that pattern his life. As he searches for the answers around him, he is slowly led to confront the man his father truly is, as well as the man he knows he will become.   A gripping tale of inherited violence and identity in politically volatile Bengal, Aurko Maitra's The Spider contains powerful, disturbing parallels to modern-day conflicts. Boldly interrogating our concepts of autonomy and survival in chaos, this revelatory novel explores the impact of political violence on youth and timeless issues of radicalization and legacy.

Compelling and personal essays that underscore the importance of inclusive storytelling in understanding our world. In Thinking Aloud, Jerry Pinto examines the notion of Bollywood as a national cinema in a linguistically diverse India. He traces its evolution from films from the 1940s-50s like Kismet and Mother India-which contributed to national identity through its themes of sacrifice and unity-to male-centric cinematic narratives of the 1970s-80s. Writing on Bollywood, biography, translation, and teaching with candor and empathy, Pinto argues that Bollywood's simplistic, good-versus-evil narratives have deeply influenced the public's perception of their past.   Drawing from his translations of works such as Sachin Kunalkar's Cobalt Blue and Daya Pawar's Baluta, Pinto stresses the importance of biographies in providing personal insights into historical events, challenging monolithic narratives, and enriching our understanding of history through diverse, often overlooked, experiences. He delves deeply into the vital role of translation in bridging cultural and linguistic divides. This book also explores Pinto's unconventional journey as an educator. Reflecting on his reluctant start as a teacher at fourteen and his innovative methods promoting the inclusion of marginalized voices, he offers a poignant commentary on the transformative power of education.

An erudite exploration of transgressive language from the Renaissance by one of Europe's greatest living philosophers.    This book explores how early modern authors broke linguistic boundaries, creating new words and languages that challenged traditional grammar and lexicon, providing historical insight into today's debates on the politics of language. Through a scholarly analysis by Giorgio Agamben, the text delves into the boundary-shifting language of the Renaissance, exemplified by giants like Pantagruel and Gargantua, whose outsized bodies mirror the vastness of their speech. The macaronic language invented by Teofilo Folengo, blending Latin and vernacular, embodies a linguistic rebellion that transforms language into a tangible, unruly force. Featuring illustrations from the Songes drolatiques de Pantagruel and Folengo's Baldo, this volume offers a vivid portrayal of language as a physical, dynamic entity that defies grammatical norms.

Offering a compelling call to arms while challenging the pervasive grip of colonialism on the Black psyche, this manifesto charts a course toward a future defined by autonomy, dignity, and radical liberation.    Delving into the historical currents of resistance-from Negritude to Black nationalism to pan-Africanism-this manifesto unapologetically confronts the insidious nature of modern colonialism. In a world where the very presence of the Black body incites fear and insecurity among white supremacists, Afro-Decolonial Manifesto exposes the fallacy of equating Black existence with reverse colonialism. It challenges the prevailing narratives of gratitude and guilt, asserting the right of the Black diaspora to reclaim its autonomy and dignity, and also examines the effectiveness of movements like Black Lives Matter, advocating for a renewed Black internationalism rooted in Africa's unity and autonomy.   In a stirring call to arms, Afro-Decolonial Manifesto heralds a new era of resistance, where reparation becomes not just a demand for restitution, but a catalyst for radical change. This volume emboldens Black people to reclaim their narrative, their agency, and their future. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of liberation and the indomitable resilience of Black lives.

A fascinating discussion of Gandhi's moral values and art stance, providing contemporary ethical reflections. In Discovering Each Other and Other Essays, K. G. Subramanyan reflects on Gandhi's political and cultural role in India and what lessons can be learned and applied more broadly. He explores how Gandhi's moral values compared with his stance on art, while also investigating how traditional crafts can survive in an industrial world. He asks what role policymakers can play in the sustainability of manual crafts and investigates how the perception of tribal communities and their art changed in India over time. Subramanyan brings his trademark candor, lucidity, and wisdom to these reflections and responses.

An insightful presentation of Indian film scripts that explore alienation and loss in middle-class life. Renowned Indian filmmaker Mrinal Sen, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to parallel cinema, offers sensitive portrayals of the middle-class psyche in his films Ekdin Pratidin, Kharij, and Ekdin Achanak. Regarded among his finest works, these films-though not strictly a trilogy, having been produced years apart-each explores the theme of absence: the sudden disappearance of an individual, the resulting exposure of underlying values, and the profound changes in relationships and attitudes among those left behind. This volume features shot-by-shot reconstructions (as in post-production film scripts) of all three films, alongside a comprehensive introductory essay from Somnath Zutshi. It is richly illustrated with black-and-white reproductions of scenes from the films, providing a visual complement to the textual analysis. This edition brings Sen's cinematic artistry and thematic depth to an international audience, offering an insightful exploration of his work.