In 'The Collected Writings of Joe Brainard', the reader is invited into the whimsical and introspective world of one of the 20th century's most innovative artists and writers. Brainard's unique blend of memoir, poetry, and visual art invites exploration of memory and identity in ways that both enchant and provoke thought. His playful yet profound prose reflects on the intricacies of everyday life, relationships, and the act of creation itself. Each piece is a window into Brainard's imaginative mind, revealing hidden layers of insight and emotion. This collection is not just a gathering of writings; it's an invitation to experience the art of living through the eyes of a true creative pioneer.
By Joe Brainard
Published: 2013
"I remember the feeling of standing on the edge of childhood, where everything was both familiar and strange, a liminal space filled with the echoes of yesterday and the whispers of tomorrow."
Discover the works of Joe Brainard, whose quirky style earned him a reputation as a “recognizable American phenomenon” and “oddball classicist”—with a foreword by 4321 author Paul Auster (John Ashbery) An artist associated with the New York School of poets, Joe Brainard (1942-1994) was a wonderful writer whose one-of-a-kind autobiographical work I Remember has had a wide and growing influence. It is joined in this major new retrospective with many other pieces that for the first time present the full range of Brainard's writing in all its deadpan wit, madcap inventiveness, self-revealing frankness, and generosity of spirit. The Collected Writings of Joe Brainard gathers intimate journals, jottings, stories, one-liners, comic strips, mini-essays, and short plays, many of them available until now only as expensive rarities, if at all. “Brainard disarms us with the seemingly tossed-off, spontaneous nature of his writing and his stubborn refusal to accede to the pieties of self-importance,” writes Paul Auster in the introduction to this collection. “These little works . . . are not really about anything so much as what it means to be young, that hopeful, anarchic time when all horizons are open to us and the future appears to be without limits.” Assembled by the author’s longtime friend and biographer Ron Padgett and including fourteen previously unpublished works, here is a fresh and affordable way to rediscover a unique American artist.
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“I remember the feeling of standing on the edge of childhood, where everything was both familiar and strange, a liminal space filled with the echoes of yesterday and the whispers of tomorrow.”
The Collected Writings of Joe Brainard
By Joe Brainard
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Joe Brainard was an influential American artist and writer born in 1942 in Arkansas. He is best known for his innovative use of language and visual art, particularly in his memoir 'I Remember,' which blends memory, poetry, and prose in a unique and poignant way. Brainard was a key figure in the New York School of poetry, embracing a style characterized by its spontaneity, intimacy, and rich sensory detail. His notable works also include 'The Naughty Autobio' and 'Courage.' Throughout his career, Brainard's contributions transcended traditional boundaries, leaving a lasting impact on both literature and the visual arts.
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