The first introduction of the seminal writings of a key Belgian writer and critic to an English-speaking audience.
Radically subjective. Radically unapologetic. Radically demanding. These are the hallmarks of Dirk Lauwaert’s skill, attitude, and sensitivity, which are the result of radical attention.
Belgian writer and critic Dirk Lauwaert (1944–2013) wrote about images, be they moving or still, historical or contemporary, overfamiliar or unseen. He experienced them intensely, studied them attentively, and connected them to ethical, philosophical, or social issues in texts that invited readers to do the same, whether they were leaving the movie theater, browsing a photo book, or visiting an exhibition.
This selection presents the depth and scope of Lauwaert’s immense output through 15 key texts in which the Belgian author unfolds his central ideas and motifs, displaying his kaleidoscopic thinking and essayistic ability. The texts span 25 years – from 1983 to 2008 – and were originally published in various contexts over the course of three decades.
Note
Acknowledgements
A Culture of Showing. Firm Elegance in the Writing of Dirk Lauwaert by Herman Asselberghs
Notes
I
Contemporary Sophistry and the Poor Experience
Reports from a Classroom
Critique of Enthusiasm. Culture, or the Event; The Accompanying Word: Passion
II
Barthes, the Perfect Bourgeois
Portrait of a Role: the Intellectual
The Sovereign Dandy
The Rhythm of Thinking
III
Mise-en-Scène: The Most Beautiful Word about Film
The Classic Film Body
Seam and Pattern: Thinking Forms
Dreaming of an Expedition
IV
Public/Publication/Publishing/Publicity
The Blurred Photograph: An Old Debate
The Image That Yields Up Everything (Because It Has Seen Nothing)
V
Moving House
Notes
Herman Asselberghs
Herman Asselberghs is a filmmaker, teacher, and researcher at LUCA School of Arts.
Robbrecht Desmet
Robbrecht Desmet is a filmmaker, teacher, and researcher at LUCA School of Arts.
Bart Meuleman
Bart Meuleman is a writer, poet, playwright, dramaturgist, and essayist.
Peter Jan Perquy
Peter Jan Perquy is head librarian at the Library of Sint-Lukas in Brussels (LUCA School of Arts) and caretaker of its Dirk Lauwaert Collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008" about?
The first introduction of the seminal writings of a key Belgian writer and critic to an English-speaking audience.
Radically subjective. Radically unapologetic. Radically demanding. These are the hallmarks of Dirk Lauwaert’s skill, attitude, and sensitivity, which are the result of radical attention.
Belgian writer and critic Dirk Lauwaert (1944–2013) wrote about images, be they moving or still, historical or contemporary, overfamiliar or unseen. He experienced them intensely, studied them attentively, and connected them to ethical, philosophical, or social issues in texts that invited readers to do the same, whether they were leaving the movie theater, browsing a photo book, or visiting an exhibition.
This selection presents the depth and scope of Lauwaert’s immense output through 15 key texts in which the Belgian author unfolds his central ideas and motifs, displaying his kaleidoscopic thinking and essayistic ability. The texts span 25 years – from 1983 to 2008 – and were originally published in various contexts over the course of three decades.
Who wrote "Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008"?
"Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008" was written by Dirk Lauwaert.
Who edited "Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008"?
"Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008" was edited by Herman Asselberghs, Robbrecht Desmet, Bart Meuleman and Peter Jan Perquy.
Herman Asselberghs is a filmmaker, teacher, and researcher at LUCA School of Arts.
Robbrecht Desmet is a filmmaker, teacher, and researcher at LUCA School of Arts.
Bart Meuleman is a writer, poet, playwright, dramaturgist, and essayist.
Peter Jan Perquy is head librarian at the Library of Sint-Lukas in Brussels (LUCA School of Arts) and caretaker of its Dirk Lauwaert Collection.
Is "Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008" part of a series?
Yes, "Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008" is part of the "Lieven Gevaert Series" series. It's book 33 in the series.
The series covers four types of publications:
- outstanding monographic studies
- multi-authored volumes on a specific topic
- book length projects with artists
- translations and/or reprints of classic texts.
All books are published in English and are written for an international audience of scholars.
Format
All books in the series are published in 17*23 cm paperback with French flaps, printed in black and white on white maco paper and with a maximum page extent of 300 pages (120.000 words) including images (unless agreed otherwise).
Authors interested in publishing their book in Open Access can check out the funding options here. Open access books are published under a creative commons license.
Series editors
Hilde Van Gelder, KU Leuven
Alexander Streitberger, UCLouvain
Proposals
Proposals and enquiries can be sent to the series editors.
Please make use of the submission form to present the full manuscript to our board.
Authors interested in Open Access can consult the available funding options.
Links & Resources
What is the Table of Contents for "Dirk Lauwaert. Selected Writings, 1983-2008"?
Note
Acknowledgements
A Culture of Showing. Firm Elegance in the Writing of Dirk Lauwaert by Herman Asselberghs
Notes
I
Contemporary Sophistry and the Poor Experience
Reports from a Classroom
Critique of Enthusiasm. Culture, or the Event; The Accompanying Word: Passion
II
Barthes, the Perfect Bourgeois
Portrait of a Role: the Intellectual
The Sovereign Dandy
The Rhythm of Thinking
III
Mise-en-Scène: The Most Beautiful Word about Film
The Classic Film Body
Seam and Pattern: Thinking Forms
Dreaming of an Expedition
IV
Public/Publication/Publishing/Publicity
The Blurred Photograph: An Old Debate
The Image That Yields Up Everything (Because It Has Seen Nothing)
V
Moving House
Notes
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