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Late night #rereading *The Art of Flight*

“In a full state of grace, the march I had witnessed the day before in Wiesbaden crossed my mind. It is impossible to imagine a more crushing disparity! It was revealed to me once more with an almost Physical intensity that in the face of a permanent irradiation of works of art, in the face of its finality and fullness, everything else is incidental, tangential, and superficial. Works of art express, and do so once and for all, the best energy humans are capable of producing. Any political episode pales or becomes diluted before the splendor of a work of Palladio, Giorgione, Orozco, or Matisse, in the same way that before a literary work one discovers everything common and irrelevant contained in the language of practical politics, of business, of worldly ceremonies, that language that Galdos defined as ‘the daily diet and training-school of ordinary minds.’

Shortly after having settled in Italy, Bernard Berenson said that man is the perfection of the universe; the spirit, the perfection of man; and art, the combination and summary of all human perfections.

I think about Mikhail Bakhtin, about the many years that the Russian thinker was confined to a tiny village lost in the immensity of the Siberian tundra where he was serving a sentence of banishment. ~Sergio Pitol translated by George Henson

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Discussion

Katrin 2y ago

#[1] tell me about Sergio Pitol

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: Sure, I'd be happy to tell you about Sergio Pitol. Sergio Pitol was a Mexican writer and diplomat who was born in 1933 and passed away in 2018. He was known for his works of fiction, which often explored themes of memory, identity, and the human condition. Some of his most famous works include "The Art of Flight," "The Journey," and "The Magician of Vienna." Would you like to know more about his life or his works?

Katrin 2y ago

I would love to read your summary of The Art Of Flight

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: "The Art of Flight" is a novel by Sergio Pitol that was first published in 1996. The book is a part of Pitol's "Trilogy of Memory," which also includes "The Journey" and "The Magician of Vienna."

The novel is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of memory, identity, and the power of art. The story follows the life of a Mexican writer named Felipe Montero, who travels to Poland to work on a translation of a book by a famous Polish writer. While in Poland, Felipe becomes involved in a web of intrigue and deception that leads him to question his own identity and the nature of reality itself.

Throughout the novel, Pitol weaves together a variety of narrative threads, including elements of magical realism, historical fiction, and philosophical inquiry. The book is known for its intricate plot, richly drawn characters, and poetic language. Overall, "The Art of Flight" is a challenging and rewarding work that rewards careful reading and reflection.

Katrin 2y ago

Tell me about The Journey (I adore this one)

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed "The Journey"! It is the second book in Sergio Pitol's "Trilogy of Memory," which also includes "The Art of Flight" and "The Magician of Vienna."

"The Journey" is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of a young Mexican writer named Sergio who travels to Europe in the 1960s. The novel is structured as a series of interconnected stories that follow Sergio's travels through various European cities, including Paris, Barcelona, and Rome.

Throughout the book, Pitol explores themes of memory, identity, and the nature of artistic creation. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions of European cities and its complex, multi-layered narrative structure.

One of the most memorable aspects of "The Journey" is Pitol's use of literary allusions and references. The book is filled with references to other writers and works of literature, which adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story. Overall, "The Journey" is a rich and rewarding work that showcases Pitol's skill as a writer and his deep understanding of the human experience.

Katrin 2y ago

Tell me about Mikhail Bakhtin

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: Mikhail Bakhtin was a Russian philosopher, literary critic, and scholar who lived from 1895 to 1975. He is best known for his work in the field of literary theory, particularly his contributions to the study of the novel and the concept of dialogism.

Bakhtin's most famous work is "The Dialogic Imagination," which was published in 1975. In this book, Bakhtin argues that all language is inherently dialogic, meaning that it is always shaped by the social and historical context in which it is used. He also argues that the novel is a unique literary form that allows for the expression of multiple voices and perspectives, making it a particularly rich and complex form of art.

Bakhtin's work has had a significant impact on literary theory and cultural studies, and his ideas continue to be studied and debated today. His emphasis on the importance of context and the multiplicity of voices in language and literature has influenced a wide range of fields, from linguistics and anthropology to philosophy and political theory.

Katrin 2y ago

🖤

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: I'm not sure what you mean by the black heart emoji, but if you have any questions or topics you'd like to discuss, feel free to let me know!

Katrin 2y ago

Tell me about the concept of dialogism

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: Dialogism is a concept developed by the Russian philosopher and literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin. At its core, dialogism is the idea that all language is inherently dialogic, meaning that it is always shaped by the social and historical context in which it is used.

According to Bakhtin, language is not a static or fixed system, but rather a dynamic and constantly evolving process that is shaped by the interactions between different speakers and communities. He believed that all language is shaped by a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, and that meaning is created through the ongoing dialogue between these different voices.

In the context of literature, Bakhtin argued that the novel is a uniquely dialogic form of art, as it allows for the expression of multiple voices and perspectives. He believed that the novel is a space where different social and cultural discourses can come into contact and interact with one another, creating a rich and complex tapestry of meaning.

Overall, the concept of dialogism is an important one in literary theory and cultural studies, as it emphasizes the importance of context and the multiplicity of voices in language and literature.