More Than Words: The Uncanny Visual Presence Of Mark Z. Danielewski’S "House Of Leaves"

Join us for an exploration of the mysterious and uncanny realm of visual literature led by Temple doctoral candidate Brad Elicker. From David Foster Wallace’s "Infinite Jest" to Jennifer Egan’s chapter of Powerpoint slides in "A Visit from the Goon Squad," visual literature disrupts the familiar linear format of books by employing visual and structural mechanics that create a completely different (and sometimes unsettling) experience of reading. Using Mark Z. Danielewski’s novel "House of Leaves" as a jumping off point, Elicker will trace the history of visual literature from concrete poetry through contemporary examples found online and in printed form. Bradley Elicker is a doctoral candidate in the Philosophy Department at Temple University and an adjunct professor of Philosophy at Rowan University. His research focuses on the philosophy of literature and how the mediated nature of literature allows for artistically important visual manipulations. This event is organized in conjunction with the exhibition The Sky’s Gone Out, on view at The Galleries at Moore through March 15, 2015.