Ports of Entry: William S. Burroughs and the Arts [Paperback]

Robert A. Sobieszek (Author), William S. Burroughs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0500974357 | ISBN-13: 978-0500974353 | Publication Date: October 1996 | Edition: First Edition

Beat iconoclast turned cultural icon, William S. Burroughs has been practising a postmodern voodoo alchemy, via his cut-up and fold-in collage techniques, that accurately reflect our fragmented, postmodern society and experience. His novels, once banned and condemned, have over the years earned him membership in the American Academy and Institute for Arts and Letters and the title Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France. Burroughs was the subject of an exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1996 for which "Ports of Entry" is the catalogue. Sobieszek demonstrates how Burrough's creative practive extends to and permeates most of the arts, how his work has paralleled and in some cases anticipated significant developments in painting, assemblage, music, sculpture, video and film. He discusses and offers illustrations of Burrough's extensive body of visual art, including his collages, photomontages, sculptural assemblages, shotgunned paintings and text-work images. In addition, the text looks at the work of artists, including Brion Gysin, Keith Haring, Philip Taaffe and Robert Rauschenberg, with whom Burroughs has collaborated or has an affinity.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

William S. Burroughs's place in and influence on late 20th-century American literature is little questioned, and today he occupies the position of cultural icon, lending his voice for use on pop albums, composing the book to a recent opera, and appearing in a Nike commercial. These wide-ranging offerings are not mere celebrity dabbling but the outgrowth of a sincere and longtime occupation with expression as much as with simply writing. He has been making visual art in a wide array of media, in collaboration and on his own, for decades. His artistic work most often treats themes that will be familiar to students of his writing, and as such they are illuminating even when the individual pieces do not rise to the same artistic heights. Lavishly illustrated and exceptionally well designed, this catalog to a Los Angeles County Museum of Art show presents the full span of Burrough's output. A flowing, lucid text by the museum's curator of photography ties the work to Burroughs's life and literary career. It is unfortunate, however, that an investigation of Burroughs's influence on other visual artists?a valid and rich topic?is limited to a final chapter. Still, this is well recommended to libraries with larger collections on contemporary art or American literature.?Eric Bryant, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Small Pr Distribution; First Edition edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500974357
• ISBN-13: 978-0500974353
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #680,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally read autographed copy, March 17, 2006

By 

audreydog (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ports of Entry: William S. Burroughs and the Arts (Paperback)

I have a personally autographed copy of this book, that was signed by Burroughs on his kitchen table in Lawrence a couple of years before he died. I've had it on my shelf since that time, and finally got around to reading it last night. Just like his other books, it's a bit hard to understand, and he didn't even write this one. He was quite an interesting man.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing insight into the mind of a brilliant man., December 26, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Ports of Entry: William S. Burroughs and the Arts (Paperback)

"Ports of Entry: William S. Burroughs and the Arts" is an
amazing book about an amazing man,
that provides a wonderful insight into genius. The bulk
of the book being dedicated to the art of William S.
Burroughs (yes, he wasn't just a literary giant). If you
appreciate work outside the bounds of the "common", everyday
junk, this is the book for you! Inspiring and breath-taking,
a *DEFINITE* must own!