Hi all. I've decided to start a regular post called "Word!" My intent is simply to shine a light on some of the wonderful vocabulary employed by DFW in IJ. My plan is to select words or phrases--slightly or extremely unusual--used in compelling ways, then link to a good definition. My hope is to inspire the retention of ~50 interesting words/phrases by the end of our read.
Today's "Word!"
"apocopes" (p. 57, bottom)
ps- I loved the filmography footnote. Did you?
The regular Word post is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteDid a quick search of J.O.I.'s filmography and the internets and found this:
“The Gallery at the LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies Presents:
A FAILED ENTERTAINMENT
Selections from the filmography of James O. Incandenza
Exhibition Dates: Jan 29 – Feb 19th
Opening Reception: Friday, Jan 29th, 6-8 pm
Film Screening to take place during opening reception.
In 1996 author David Foster Wallace published his novel Infinite Jest and was instantly hailed as one of the greatest authors of the 20th century, eventually being granted a MacArthur award. His sprawling and complex novel chronicles the lives of the characters surrounding James Incandenza- avant-garde filmmaker, mathematician, and visionary tennis instructor. The plot largely revolves around the missing master copy of one of Incandenza’s films, titled Infinite Jest, a film so entertaining to its viewers that they become catatonic, losing all interest in anything other than endless viewings of the film.
Included as a footnote in Wallace’s novel is the Complete filmography of James O. Incandenza, a detailed list of over 70 industrial, documentary, conceptual, advertorial, technical, parodic, dramatic non-commercial, and non-dramatic commercial works. The LeRoy Neiman Gallery has commissioned artists and filmmakers to re-create seminal works from Incandenza’s filmography.”
A little NFL/Jest humor:
ReplyDeleteChad Pennington is: "The Man Who Began To Suspect He Was Made Of Glass"
The exhibition is apparently traveling around according to failedentertainment.com.
ReplyDeleteKinds of Light:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR2mYlq0reY
Baby Pictures of Famous Dictators:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoSzWNCZ11I
The first time I read the Jest I kept a dictionary next to me and referred to it constantly. At the time I was temping, working in offices basically as a secretary. When people asked me what i did for a living I would reply "amanuensis". The response was generally nonplussed.
ReplyDeleteThese days the Dictionary iPhone app is less conspicuous. Until one opens their mouth.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading it on a Kindle this time and the built in dictionary is really convenient.
ReplyDeleteThat Exhibition sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the iPhone dictionary.
Our rival (sister?) site www.failedentertainment.com is having an
ReplyDeleteOPEN CALL FOR FILM MAKERS/ARTISTS/GIFTED AMATEURS:
DEADLINE JANUARY 10, 2011
The curators of this exhibition are currently seeking film or video submissions that attempt to realize selections from the Complete Filmography of James O. Incandeza.
A Failed Entertainment will travel to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA and the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY in collaboration with LOT gallery. Other venues in the Northeast to be announced.
Any takers?
I am all in on "Untitled. Unfinished. Unreleased."
ReplyDeleteI'll be trying out for the role of "Feral Infant #1." Wish me luck.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that some of the chapters are scenes in a movie: in the filmography, under "It Was a Great Marvel That He Was in the Father Without Knowing Him", the father "poses as a 'professional conversationalist' on order to draw the boy out."
ReplyDeleteSeeing that film in the footnote added some humorous depth to that chapter for sure.
ReplyDelete