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Cabinet Magazine: “Getting High With Benjamin & Burroughs”
Housed within the pages of the latest issue (No. 30) of the ever-compelling art/lit publication, Cabinet, is an essay on Walt Benjamin, William Burroughs, and hallucinogens.
The Opening Sprea
The writer, Michael Toussig, draws parallels between the two icons in terms of their individual reactions to hallucinogens. Benjamin, with hashish. Burroughs, with yage, a South American Shaman ritual (pronounced “yah’-hay”). Both reached, what Benjamin referred to as “profane illumination.” Benjamin sinking into isolation and political exile, Burroughs entering the frenetic American dust storm now dubbed (sigh)…”The Beats.” He conjectures that the two would have enjoyed each other’s company.
Walt, reclining with shade
Michael Taussig is the author of numerous books on cultural theory and perception and a professor of anthropology at Columbia University.
Written by robin on 09/17/2008 in Blog | Book Review | Philosophy | Walter Benjamin
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