THE SELF-ISOLATION RESIDENCY 28TH JULY 2020: DAY 121

'The Constant Library',  Volume I:
"Species of Spaces and Other Pieces", Perec.'

'The Constant Library',  Volume I: "Species of Spaces and Other Pieces", Georges Perec.'

Today I'm adding a new series to my blog posts; 'The Constant Library'. The idea follows on from a conversation that I had recently considering which books have had and continue to have the greatest affect my life in a variety of different ways. These are the books I can't live without and whenever possible I have a copy of with me wherever I am in the world.

I'm beginning with the book that has probably had a greater impact on my life as an artist that any other; 'Species of Spaces and Other Pieces' by Georges Perec. The book is a series of essays and and reminiscences that exemplify Perec's thought processes and writing techniques. As a member of the OuLiPo, workshop for potential literature, Perec's writing is both challenging and thought provoking; never more so in my opinion than in the short essay 'Approaches to What?'. The text challenges us to see the world differently, something that as an artist has become my touchstone, as has the book.

To read the text of 'Approaches to What?' please follow the link here to the blog page by Mark Ingham.