The Fitzcarraldo Editions Archive: Brian Dillon In Conversation With Chris Power
Jun 1, 2023
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Brian Dillon, critic and essayist, discusses writing with Chris Power. They explore using images, writing attentively about sentences and objects, transitioning from academic to engaging writing, the influence of writers like Roland Barthes, the balance between close reading and interpretation, and the significance of personal experiences in writing.
Brian Dillon's writing journey stems from personal experiences with family photographs, shaping his exploration of memory and personal reflection.
Dillon's methodical approach to storing and recalling material showcases his inclination towards intimately exploring memory and personal history in his writing.
'Essayism' marked a significant turning point in Dillon's writing career, illustrating the organic evolution of his projects in response to personal struggles.
Dillon's meticulous analysis of sentence structures in 'Suppose a Sentence' demonstrates his keen eye for literary detail and the intricacies of language.
Deep dives
Origins of In the Dark Room
In the podcast episode, Brian Dillon discusses how his book 'In the Dark Room' originated from a personal experience where he examined family photographs after a difficult period in his life. He narrates how he found solace in writing about these photos and gradually expanded this exploration into a book that delves into memory, family, and personal reflection, shaping the direction of his subsequent works.
Memory Palace and Writing Style
Through a discussion of the Memory Palace technique and his early writing processes, Brian Dillon sheds light on his approach to storing and recalling material for his books. He reflects on the self-conscious yet liberating experience of writing about family photographs, drawing comparisons to renowned authors like Nabokov and Barthes. This discussion reveals Dillon's inclination towards intimately exploring memory and personal history in his writing.
The Transition to Essayism
The transition from 'In the Dark Room' to 'Essayism' is highlighted in the podcast as a pivotal moment in Brian Dillon's writing career. The conversation focuses on the organic evolution of Dillon's projects and how 'Essayism' emerged as a response to his personal struggles. It unveils the challenges and creative processes that shaped Dillon's unique narrative style, blending personal reflection with literary critique.
Exploring Sentence Structures
Brian Dillon's exploration of sentence structures in his book 'Suppose a Sentence' is detailed in the podcast episode. The discussion touches on his meticulous selection of sentences, showcasing his ability to delve into the nuances and complexities of individual sentences. Dillon's method of closely analyzing sentences reveals his keen eye for literary detail and the complexities of language, adding a distinctive layer to his literary critiques.
Affinity with Images and Objects
Brian Dillon explores his fascination with images and objects in his book 'Affinities.' He delves into the concept of affinity, struggling to define its precise meaning and its historical implications related to familial relations. Dillon navigates the intricate relationships artists have with images and objects, emphasizing the nuanced connections that extend beyond direct influences.
Exploring the Essence of Art
In 'Affinities,' Brian Dillon reflects on the challenge of rendering the depth of an image with just the right amount of acuity. He values the balance between control and imperfection in visual works of art, acknowledging the importance of embracing the unexplained and unexhausted aspects of art. Dillon highlights the significance of preserving the inherent enigma and essence present in artworks.
Personal Reflections and Artistic Boundaries
Brian Dillon delves into the significance of personal experiences in his work, including his exploration of depression and his interactions with art. He acknowledges the complexity of embodying personal affinities and the challenges of conveying deep emotional connections through writing. Dillon contemplates the evolving nature of his writing identity and the enduring impact of personal reflections on his creative endeavors.
Brian Dillon in conversation with Chris Power: Critic and essayist Brian Dillon, author of Essayism, In the Dark Room, Suppose a Sentence and Affinities, speaks to Chris Power, author of A Lonely Man, about his writing to date, including the influence and use of the image in his work, his attachment to the fragment and the ‘mere’, and the challenge of writing attentively about a specific thing, whether a sentence or an object. Recorded at Young Space in February 2023. Edited by Frankie Wells. Music composed by Kwes Darko.
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