William S Burroughs is cited as "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th century." His legacy continues to foresee what now fills the headlines of the world today. Burroughs’ writing and ideas changed the course of literature and his multi-media collaborations spawned new directions in film and music.
To mark the William S Burroughs centenary, a few days after what would have been his 100th birthday, Guerrilla Zoo presents an experiential event inspired by his life and times. Based within the strange and seedy surreal "metaphorical stateless city" of 'Interzone' inspired by the cult beat writer whilst in the north Moroccan city of Tangier during 1950s, where he wrote his acclaimed influential nonlinear novel Naked Lunch (published almost 55 years ago). The event, which takes the world of Burroughs' writing and brings them to life with an immersive spectacle, combines promenade theatre, music, performances art, films and art installations - Think Naked Lunch meets Punch Drunk.
To mark the William S Burroughs centenary, a few days after what would have been his 100th birthday, Guerrilla Zoo presents an experiential event inspired by his life and times. Based within the strange and seedy surreal "metaphorical stateless city" of 'Interzone' inspired by the cult beat writer whilst in the north Moroccan city of Tangier during 1950s, where he wrote his acclaimed influential nonlinear novel Naked Lunch (published almost 55 years ago). The event, which takes the world of Burroughs' writing and brings them to life with an immersive spectacle, combines promenade theatre, music, performances art, films and art installations - Think Naked Lunch meets Punch Drunk.
William Seward Burroughs II was born 5 February 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri. Burroughs was an innovative writer and artist in many mediums. A progenitor of the Beat Generation, Burroughs went on to deeply influence a wide swath of culture and thought with dozens of books and hundreds of paintings, essays, spoken word performances and multi-media collaborations. The relevance of this work persists in modern times as he made many prescienct predictions of technological evolution and oversteps of 'Control'. Burroughs' stated purposes included exposing systems of oppression and creating a “mythology for the space age.”
Burroughs was informed by a lifetime of dialogue with provocative and penetrating thinkers. Often these interactions sparked new directions in writing, film, sound, and visual art. Notable collaborators include Antony Balch, Ian Sommerville, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Keith Haring, Robert Rauschenberg, George Condo, Philip Taaffe, Robert Wilson, Tom Waits, Kurt Cobain, John Giorno, Terry Southern, Sinclair Beiles, & Gregory Corso.
He continued writing until the day he died, on 2 August 1997, Burroughs passed away at home at the age of 83.
Burroughs was not only a highly influential writer in the realm of arts, but in the cultural landscape at large.
Burroughs was informed by a lifetime of dialogue with provocative and penetrating thinkers. Often these interactions sparked new directions in writing, film, sound, and visual art. Notable collaborators include Antony Balch, Ian Sommerville, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Keith Haring, Robert Rauschenberg, George Condo, Philip Taaffe, Robert Wilson, Tom Waits, Kurt Cobain, John Giorno, Terry Southern, Sinclair Beiles, & Gregory Corso.
He continued writing until the day he died, on 2 August 1997, Burroughs passed away at home at the age of 83.
Burroughs was not only a highly influential writer in the realm of arts, but in the cultural landscape at large.
Aside from the numerous recordings and album releases that Burroughs directly participated in (check out Laurie Anderson's "Sharkey’s Night" or Kurt Cobain's The "Priest" They Called Him), Burroughs is constantly referenced by musicians; David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs was inspired by Burroughs & Brion Gysin's "cut-up" technique, Burroughs figure is on the cover of The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, and 'Interzone' is referenced in the widely remixed “Atlantis to Interzone” by the Klaxons.
Rebel Rebel … David Bowie and William Burroughs photographed by Terry O’Neill in 1974 and hand-coloured by Bowie. Photograph: Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive 2012. © V&A Images
Rebel Rebel … David Bowie and William Burroughs photographed by Terry O’Neill in 1974 and hand-coloured by Bowie. Photograph: Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive 2012. © V&A Images
In the current film industry's obsession with the Beat Generation over the last few years many films have portrayed Burroughs and his literary cohorts; James Franco played Ginsberg in 2010’s "Howl," same year also saw the documentary "William S. Burroughs: A Man Within", Sam Riley and Garret Hedlund were the ambling Kerouac and Cassady in last year’s adaptation of "On the Road" where Burroughs was portrayed by Viggo Mortensen.
The recent release of John Krokidas' "Kill Your Darlings" saw Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe portraying Ginsberg and Ben Foster as Burroughs. There is a boisterous beauty about the film thats depicted through the quick pacing, jazzy hallucinagenic interludes and periods of manic genius that mirror what we have grown accustomed to be the romantic illusions of the beatnik generation.
The recent release of John Krokidas' "Kill Your Darlings" saw Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe portraying Ginsberg and Ben Foster as Burroughs. There is a boisterous beauty about the film thats depicted through the quick pacing, jazzy hallucinagenic interludes and periods of manic genius that mirror what we have grown accustomed to be the romantic illusions of the beatnik generation.
“He was one of the most forward-thinking minds we have had. We can feel the waves of his influence today.” Ben Foster on playing Burroughs in John Krokidas' film Kill Your Darlings
2014 sees events celebrating the William S Burroughs centenary all around the world, with several major exhibitions of his artwork in London and USA, along with the release of the digitally restored film by Howard Brookner "Burroughs: The Movie" and the Beat bastion of Greenwich Village is the setting for the Coen brothers’ upcoming "Inside Llewyn Davis."
Through Burroughs multiple creative outputs it is clear his legacy has an enduring and continuing social and political relevance bringing to light some very important issues that are still in tune with the times today.
There is a cultural shift in the way we are seeing the world, the governments, the big industries and how we engage with them and each other. Writer's like Burroughs helped shine a bright translucent light at how the 'Control Machine' operates, and with Edward Snowden's 'politically backed spying' revelations that far surpass George Orwell's dystopian glance at the future, perhaps we need a little reminder that one person is all it takes to throw a spanner in the greasy cogs to disrupt the system and instigate a change.
Through Burroughs multiple creative outputs it is clear his legacy has an enduring and continuing social and political relevance bringing to light some very important issues that are still in tune with the times today.
There is a cultural shift in the way we are seeing the world, the governments, the big industries and how we engage with them and each other. Writer's like Burroughs helped shine a bright translucent light at how the 'Control Machine' operates, and with Edward Snowden's 'politically backed spying' revelations that far surpass George Orwell's dystopian glance at the future, perhaps we need a little reminder that one person is all it takes to throw a spanner in the greasy cogs to disrupt the system and instigate a change.
Guerrilla Zoo presents Interzone
Celebrating 100 Years of William S Burroughs - An immersive party combining promenade theatre, music, performance and art.
DATE : Friday 7th Feburary 2014
TIMES : 8PM - 3AM
LOCATION : Secret London Location
TICKETS : www.guerrillazoo.com/interzone-burroughs-100 [Adv Only]
RSVP : www.facebook.com/events/262178000596380
Flyer Image by John De Moss
Celebrating 100 Years of William S Burroughs - An immersive party combining promenade theatre, music, performance and art.
DATE : Friday 7th Feburary 2014
TIMES : 8PM - 3AM
LOCATION : Secret London Location
TICKETS : www.guerrillazoo.com/interzone-burroughs-100 [Adv Only]
RSVP : www.facebook.com/events/262178000596380
Flyer Image by John De Moss
Read Burroughs biography, fascinating new insights into his life by his friends and colleagues and details of international events over at : www.burroughs100.com
RSS Feed
