Archive for Friday, July 17, 2009
The ‘Naked’ Truth: Lawrence celebrates 50-year anniversary of William S. Burroughs’ definitive work
William S. Burroughs sits among some of his artwork while living in Lawrence in the late 1980s. The late author will be honored with an art show and gathering to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of his signature novel, “Naked Lunch.”
July 17, 2009
Advertisement
“‘Disgusting,’ they said ... ‘Pornographic’ ... ‘Un-American trash’ ... ‘Unpublishable’ ... Well, it came out in 1959, and it found an audience ... Town meetings ... Book burnings ... And an inquiry by the State Supreme Court ... That book made quite a little impression.” —William S. Burroughs on his novel “Naked Lunch”
Whether beloved, vilified or avoided, few will argue that “Naked Lunch” remains among the landmark works of American literature.
“It’s one of the most radical, drastic pieces of innovation in the history of art,” says Tom King.
He remembers buying it in his youth because he “heard it was a dirty book.”
“I tried to read it, but I got nowhere,” King remembers. “I think at some point, if you consider yourself to be intellectually oriented, you’re going to have to address the Beat movement, particularly ‘Naked Lunch.’ It’s one of the most challenging books ever written. I’ve never finished it.”
Despite his ongoing battles with the work, King decided to help mark the 50-year anniversary since William S. Burroughs first published this definitive work.
Past Event
Opening: "Naked Leftovers," paintings by William S. Burroughs
A celebration in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Naked Lunch
- When: Sunday, August 2, 2009, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where: The Bourgeois Pig, 6 E. Ninth, Lawrence
- Cost: Free
- More on this event....
King — a project manager for William Burroughs Communications and the official caretaker of the Burroughs house in Lawrence, who also writes for this publication — has helped organize an homage to William Burroughs and “Naked Lunch.” On Aug. 2 (the 12th anniversary of Burroughs’ passing in Lawrence), an exhibit of the author’s paintings and evening of tribute will be held at The Bourgeois Pig. An exhibit of some of the tools he used to create that art will be on display at the DotDotDot Gallery the night before.
“As time passes, the list of people still living who actually knew Burroughs one on one is dwindling. It so happens that a great concentration of those people are found in Lawrence,” says James Grauerholz, personal secretary and longtime companion of Burroughs.
Grauerholz himself was 14 when he first picked up a copy of “Naked Lunch,” which introduced him to the atypical author.
“I couldn’t put it down. As soon as I read it, I went back to page one and read it again,” he says.
“It was easy for me to read and enjoy because of two things: I identified with the sexuality. And I had a dark, corrosive sense of humor. I sometimes tell people, ‘You didn’t understand it because you didn’t realize it’s funny.’”
James Grauerholz (left) with William S. Burroughs at Burroughs' house in Lawrence, 1994.
Grauerholz admits people often come up to him and confess they couldn’t make it through the book (which was also adapted into a film by director David Cronenberg in 1991). Those that do often suggest finding tapes of Burroughs reading the material.
“After they hear his voice, most people claim there is an internal breakthrough and they can read his work,” Grauerholz says.
Profound but terrifying
“Naked Lunch” was originally published in 1959 in Paris by Olympia Press. It took three years before an American edition by Grove Press would follow.
Grove Press is releasing a 50th-anniversary edition this fall. David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times books editor, contributes an essay in the foreword.
“There’s nothing quite like it in terms of how I have to give myself up to it, the kind of dreamy quality, the idea of a writer who is writing against language in some way and writing toward silence,” Ulin says.
Like Grauerholz, Ulin was in high school when he first attempted to hurdle the narrative obstacle.
“It was so different than anything else I’d tried to read, and so different than the other Beat books,” he recalls. “I was confused by it. I kept putting it down and kept trying to get back into it and figure it out.”
Past Event
Naked Leftovers: Burroughs' Art Objects
- When: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where: DotDotDot ArtSpace, 1910 Haskell Ave., Lawrence
- Cost: Free
- More on this event....
Finally, in college he worked his way through the novel.
“It was only really when I gave up whatever outside preconceptions about who Burroughs was, and gave myself over to it, did I find it really profound and interesting,” he says. “Now when I read it in my 40s — not that different than the age Burroughs was when he wrote it — I’m picking up something completely different that I didn’t pick up when I was 18 or 22 or 28.”
While researching a feature article in 1996, Ulin traveled to Lawrence to spend a week with the author (who lived in the city from 1981 until his death in 1997). Because so much mythology surrounded the Beat generation icons, he found it sometimes difficult to see Burroughs’ writing for what it really was.
“He was such a pop culture figure at the end of his life — he was on TV, he was doing Nike ads, he was doing all those readings and spoken words, he was in the movies, so he was this figure. This culture had so latched on to this pop culture image of him as opposed to a literary culture image of him. So when he died and wasn’t physically present anymore, he kind of disappeared and fell off the radar screen in a way that is unfortunate and unfair,” Ulin says.
Now that attention is again being focused on Burroughs’ written works, the reality of the author is more in balance with the mythology.
“(Burroughs) was so out on the edge and living it. He was walking it the way he talked it,” Ulin says. “Sometimes confronting that artistic experience is profound, but it’s also terrifying.”
Into the art world
Similar 50th-anniversary tributes to “Naked Lunch” were staged this June in Paris. Events continue in New York during October.
The Lawrence one is unique in that it isn’t only concerned with the printed page. Rather, it features a strong visual aspect.
The exhibit “Naked Leftovers: Paintings by William S. Burroughs” runs Aug. 2 through 29.
Home Movie: "W.S.B." (large)
Burroughs and local friends; plus Allen Ginsberg, Patti Smith, Steve Buscemi, and cats. (16:41) Enlarge video
“Tom King and I were sitting on the porch talking about the 50th anniversary of ‘Naked Lunch,’ and he mentioned that nothing had been scheduled anywhere to commemorate this in Lawrence,” recalls Molly Murphy, Bourgeois Pig show curator.
“The Pig seemed the appropriate place, since Charlie Whitman (his lawyer) used to own the coffee shop and bar, many of his friends still frequent the establishment, Hunter S. Thompson made a stop in when he was in town to visit William, and William did the first art show at the Pig — if we remember correctly.”
Murphy asked Yuri Zupancic, whom she calls a “young and energized artist,” to choose the pieces for the exhibit. (Zupancic also curated the Aug. 1 show at the DotDotDot Gallery.)
“I feel this is an important event, whatever your feelings about ‘Naked Lunch’ or Burroughs, for Lawrence was the place William chose as his home. He created here; he made friends here. I believe we should take pride in the fact that we became the hometown of such an influential artist,” Murphy says.
Burroughs in Lawrence
Grauerholz leads the charge when appraising the author’s hometown influence. And he’s been able to quantify it to some degree thanks to days spent researching Google trends data.
“I recently did a whole round of that in order to demonstrate the conceptual link between Lawrence and William Burroughs. ... There are at least a million people in this world who, when they hear the words ‘Lawrence, Kansas,’ they think of one thing: That’s where William Burroughs lived,” he says.
King has seen this first-hand by living at the former Burroughs homestead at 1927 Learnard Ave.
“It’s unbelievable how many people come by his house still,” King says of the 1933 Sears kit home.
“This summer has to be a record. I used to get five or 10 people a week. Now it’s that many just on the weekend. They drive by very slowly a couple of times — like a shark — then they’ll pull up, get out and take a picture standing in front of the house.”
King — who never actually met Burroughs — has also encountered people rummaging through his back yard.
“There’s an old typewriter in the back, and stealing the keys seems to be a popular sport,” he says.
That sport is unlikely to cease anytime soon, as the 50-year anniversary of “Naked Lunch” continues to concentrate more national interest on the controversial author.
Grauerholz adds, “Anybody who wishes the ‘Burroughs in Lawrence’ trope would go away is out of luck, because it’s only growing.”
Top ads RSS
- Weekend Nurse The following positions are available: LPN for days ...
- Need immediately Part Time Care Attendant for disabled person. Those ...
- Para Professional for pre-school classroom Full time. Benefits. BA in ...
- BAM! You found it! Sign on Bonus Interviewing Wednesday. First ...
- HELP WANTED Lakeview Club in Kansas seeks caretaker to live ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- ‘Tea party’ is Palin’s people February 7, 2010 · 222 comments
- Proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health care reform considered February 9, 2010 · 45 comments
- Tehran moves closer to warhead capacity February 9, 2010 · 42 comments
- Kansas Legislature considers poverty waivers for those looking to get married, but unable to pay fees February 9, 2010 · 33 comments
- Poll: Paper, plastic or, no thanks, I brought my own tote bag? February 8, 2010 · 47 comments
- The only choice February 9, 2010 · 53 comments
- Rep. John Murtha, Iraq war critic, dies at 77 February 9, 2010 · 89 comments
- Blog: Though It May Be Hard To Believe, Severe Weather Season Is Around The Corner February 9, 2010 · 12 comments
- Bill would allow big-cat hunting February 9, 2010 · 71 comments
- KU employee suspected of charging personal items on university credit card February 9, 2010 · 22 comments
- Under her wing: Parent writes book on developmental disabilities February 8, 2010
- Aldrich’s father gets to ‘live a dream’ — in Lawrence February 9, 2010
- KU communication studies professor is a finalist for MU post February 9, 2010
- Eudora man hospitalized after head-on crash into tree February 9, 2010
- Chancellor Gray-Little supports schools February 9, 2010
- KU employee suspected of charging personal items on university credit card February 9, 2010
- HealthGrades releases list of hospitals with lower mortality, complication rates February 9, 2010
- Jayhawks knock off Longhorns to get first win in Austin under Bill Self February 9, 2010
- Open house to discuss Highway 56 moved to Baldwin City school February 9, 2010
- KDHE orders salvage yard to change practices February 9, 2010
17 July 2009
at 9:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
WSB is cool; been reading Kerouac's journals lately; he knew him well back in the day.
17 July 2009
at 9:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cheeseburger (Anonymous) says…
“Anybody who wishes the ‘Burroughs in Lawrence’ trope would go away. . .”
Pretty well sums up my feelings!
17 July 2009
at 11:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
flux (Anonymous) says…
what?
17 July 2009
at 11:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Jcjayhawk1 (Anonymous) says…
Lets celebrate with a round of William Tell.
17 July 2009
at 12:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
Interesting life and individual.
I have read the book, “Cursed From Birth” which is a memoir of his son….put together very well by Professor Ohle. It gave me quite a bit of insight into Burroughs that I might not otherwise have had.
I watched, “Naked Lunch” just within the past week……I highly recommend it as long as you aren't actually eating lunch at the time. It is fine to watch while naked though.
I would love to attend the event and am thrilled we live in a community where it is possible to attend such as this.
17 July 2009
at 1:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
Interesting guy, but he was always a moonbat.
17 July 2009
at 1:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Jcjayhawk1 (Anonymous) says…
He was a privileged individual, roamed around, and wrote about it…….. Thats about it. That sounds cool and all but not doing any jail time for killing the mother of your children is a little wrong. So what if he was drunk right? Never has being a roaming lunatic been so appreciated.
17 July 2009
at 2:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
cato_the_elder (Anonymous) says…
The day that this man decided to move himself and his entourage to Lawrence was the second worst day in this City's history.
17 July 2009
at 3:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
bridg137 (Anonymous) says…
I'm almost afraid to ask…
If that was the 2nd worst day in this City's history, what was the 1st?
17 July 2009
at 3:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Jcjayhawk1 (Anonymous) says…
Smoking Ban
17 July 2009
at 3:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
beatrice (Anonymous) says…
The day they opened the first Ikea store in America — that must be the worst, right?
I've never read Naked Lunch. Perhaps I'll jump in some day.
17 July 2009
at 3:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
beatrice (Anonymous) says…
Oh, sorry, I thought it read “country's history,” not “city's.”
17 July 2009
at 3:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Sigmund (Anonymous) says…
The naked truth is that only Lawrence could celebrate a misogynistic opiate addicted dope dealer who killed his wife by shooting her in the head.
17 July 2009
at 5:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
blindrabbit (Anonymous) says…
Boy you can tell most of the later posters are born and bred Kansans; just feed them the midwestern drivel and don't offend their right-wing leanings and they are happy. Don't be too enlightening!!
I was a patient in LHM when Burroughs died; once the word got out, the hospital switchboard was swamped with calls from admirers. Kinda like when the Hawks won it all in BB.
17 July 2009
at 6:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
mdrndgtl (Anonymous) says…
From what I hear, Burroughs was a devout Christian and a true family man. He advocated a prudent lifestyle, yet spoke out against the evils of homosexuality. William also championed the first chapter of SADD in our community. I am proud his name is associated with my hometown. God bless, William S.
17 July 2009
at 6:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
pace (Anonymous) says…
I hope that people will take the time to go to the art shows. I loved WSB's art, It was imaginative and evocative, We were lucky he moved here. I was trying to describe the River City Reunion to someone, a week of poetry, prose, art and music. He was a genius and genuine. Celebrity is not the person , it is a shadow of the person reflected in myth and projection.
17 July 2009
at 6:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
mdrndgtl (Anonymous) says…
I'm sorry, but it's “a shadow of the person reflected in myth and projection.” Love the art, but don't lick the paint.
18 July 2009
at 1:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
none2 (Anonymous) says…
blindrabbit (Anonymous) says…
“Boy you can tell most of the later posters are born and bred Kansans; just feed them the midwestern drivel and don't offend their right-wing leanings and they are happy. Don't be too enlightening!!…”
============================
Stereotyping: It's what's for breakfast.
30 December 2009
at 7:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
adamsbrett43 (Anonymous) says…
Wow, he's definitely super interesting, and a great guy. What an interesting man.