“The Burroughs Century”

February 5-9, 2014 in Bloomington, Indiana

 

            The following document lists the many activities planned for “The Burroughs Century,” a 5-day festival in Bloomington, IN from February 5-9, 2014, which will examine and celebrate the legacy of William S. Burroughs, one of the most iconic and influential American artists of the 20^th century.

·         IU Cinema Film Series (Thurs Feb 6 – Sun Feb 9). Will include 5-9 separate screenings of features, documentaries, and experimental works featuring Burroughs. Premiere of restored version of Burroughs The Movie, a documentary about Burroughs in New York in the 1980s. Will include a guest lecture by the filmmaker’s nephew, Aaron Brookner.

·         Exhibit of Burroughs’s series of shotgun paintings at the Grunwald Gallery in the School of Fine Arts. This exhibit will open in January to build anticipation for the February festival.

·         Exhibit of Burroughs’s literary memorabilia and letters at the Lilly Library. This exhibit will be curated from the Ohio State University collection on Burroughs in a great example of cross-institutional cooperation.

·         A 2-day academic symposium (Fri Feb 7 and Sat Feb 8). Includes a keynote address from Professor Oliver Harris  and several other lectures/presentations concerning Burroughs’s continuing legacy.

·         Performance of opera version of Burroughs’s The Ticket That Exploded by local experimental group, The Holographic Ensemble.

·         Opening night reception/birthday party.

·         Musical performances (Thurs Feb 6 – Sat Feb 8) at The Bishop each night of the festival. Artists we are talking to include DJ Spooky, Matmos, Mark Hosler of Negativland and a slew of local bands and poets.

·         Gala music/spoken word/poetry performance at the Buskirk-Chumley, Sat Feb 8, curated by punk poet Lydia Lunch.

·         “The Burroughs Ball” (Sat Feb 8) closing-night costume ball/party at The Back Door.

·         Live staged-reading/poetry performance at the Rose Fire Bay in cooperation with the Bloomington Playwrights Project and the Bloomington Improvised Music Project.

·         A local art show featuring works by artists inspired by Burroughs. Will show at Space 101 and be curated by Bloomington artist Peter Shear

·         A lecture and workshop on Burroughs’s artistic methods at the Waldron Arts Center in downtown Bloomington.

For further information, please contact us at theburroughscentury@gmail.com.