Many Subtle Channels: In Praise of Potential Literature

摘要: What sort of society could bind together Jacques Roubaud, Italo Calvino, Marcel Duchamp, and Raymond Queneau - Daniel Levin Becker, a young American obsessed with language play? Only "The Oulipo", the Paris-based experimental collective founded in 1960 fated to become one literature's quirkiest movements. An international organization writers, artists, scientists who embrace formal procedural constraints achieve possibilities, Oulipo" (the French acronym stands for "workshop potential literature") is perhaps best known as cradle Georges Perec's novel "A Void", which does not contain letter e. Drawn Oulipo's mystique, Becker secured Fulbright grant study traveled Paris. He was eventually offered membership, becoming only second be admitted group. From perspective initiate, Oulipians" their projects are at once bizarre utterly compelling. Becker's love games, puzzles, play infectious, calling mind Elif Batuman's delight Russian literature Possessed". In recent years, has inspired creation numerous other collectives: OuMuPo" (a DJs), OuMaPo" (marionette players), OuBaPo" (comic strip artists), OuFlarfPo" (poets generate poetry aid search engines), menagerie Ou-X-Pos (workshops something). discusses these intriguing developments this history personal appreciation an iconic iconoclastic