This discussion will interrogate the notion of wandering through some of the most beautiful and intriguing works featuring a wanderer, flaneur, or stroller. Participants will look at works from the 17th century until today, from early wanderers on their Grand Tour, to arrive at those who aren't initially seen as wanderers or have been prevented from wandering in the past: minorities, immigrants, etc. Close readings of excerpts and viewing of clips and images will help reflect on wandering and the various tropes and themes (illusion, joy, and the surreal). In the works of Rimbaud, Zadie Smith, Sophie Calle, Christophe Honore, among others, participants will study the techniques used to understand how wandering showcases self-discovery, artistic practice, social commentary, and/or existential quest. After a brief overview of wandering since antiquity, this first session will focus on 18th and 19th century writers and their experience and representation of wandering. There will be some close reading of works showcasing wandering figures, real and imaginary. Since the grand tour, wandering has been heralded as a form of personal and artistic discovery. Baudelaire exalts the flaneur/artist, slightly ironically. This figure, at times satirized, serves as an observer and critic of society and its trends (class, romanticism, etc.). This first part will end with the study of Rimbaud, an iconic wanderer. Works being discussed: William Beckford, Dreams, Waking Thoughts, and Incidents; in a series of Letters from Various Parts of Europe (1891) Gogol, The Nevsky Prospekt (1835) Charles Baudelaire, The Painter of Modern Life, (1964) Arthur Rimbaud, The Drunken Boat, Selected Writings (2022) Participants should plan to attend all three sessions (July 9, 16, and 23)
New York City, NY; NYC