Reading Barthes

I have been looking through my books, digging out any I may already have on the MA reading list. I have a few art theory books - less than I thought. I tend to read about science and refer to my old dictionaries or encyclopaedias for research, or read novels.

Today on the tube I took with me to read:
Roland Barthes. Image Music Text.

I remember reading Barthes before - Camera Lucida, and A Lover's Discourse, and really enjoying them. I don't know if you have ever seen the Tony Hancock Half Hour where he is in his bedsit, lying in bed, reading Bertrand Russell, and occasionally referring to a dictionary. Fade. Hours later we return, Hancock is still there, and still on the same page. I may not fancy myself so much an intellectual as Tony Hancock, but I really had to laugh at myself because that is how I felt, but without the dictionary. Despite the distractions of being on the tube, I realised that I was really skimming over quite alot. I am not enjoying it. I do not like the style. It is dry and does not explain itself. I am doing an MA. This is my language. I will return to this book and tackle it with a dictionary, because the ideas are worth excavating and fully understanding.

I much prefer the language of James Elkins. I have read The Object Stares Back 3 or 4 times, the last recently. I often meant to read more of his - now is the time! I love the way he explores art ideas through his subjective experience, backed up with learned insights.

1st March 2011