TMR 16.4: “Ramon Llull and His Fantastic Machine” [2666]

This two-part episode opens with Katie, Brian, and Chad talking about madness, the pursuit of knowledge, what great authors “struggle against,” and much more. Then, Chad and Katie are joined by Emily Hall (The Longcut) to discuss the art works on the covers of the three-volume edition of 2666, along with Duchamp, Amalfitano’s “readymade,” and more.

Here are links to a number of the artworks that Emily references throughout the discussion:

Cy Twombly. Academy (1955)

Albertus Seba’s Wunderkammer

Frederick Ruysch’s Wunderkammer

Marcel Duchamp. Readymade malheureux (Unhappy Readymade, 1919)

This week’s music is “Walking at a Downtown Pace” by Parquet Courts.

If you’d prefer to watch the conversation—and see Chad looking mighty uncomfortable in a tie—you can find it on YouTube along with all our past episodes. And tune in next Thursday at 9am ET for the next episode, “DANGER, MONEY, FOOD, STARS, USEFULNESS.”

Follow Open Letter, Chad Post, and Brian Wood for random thoughts and information about upcoming guests.

Be sure to order Brian’s book, Joytime Killbox, which is available at better bookstores everywhere thanks to BOA Editions. And all of Katie’s translations, especially Four by Four and Last Words on Earth. 

You can also support this podcast and all of Open Letter’s activities by making a tax-deductible donation through the University of Rochester.