Category: landscape

“The sun was setting. I remember thinking: This is how T.C. Elimane disappeared from the world, without a sound, like a sunset in the ocean.” Sarr

A paratactical end of scene.

“… to generate language for describing deep structure effects in the absence of deep structure causes and origins.” (ML, Lyric form)

Des grains de poussière sur la mer. Commissariat : Arden Sherman. Fraeme.art

untitled (sharing in a market-mediated access economy-stadium), 2015.

Why should we read this collection of Lenin’s writing today? What do these writings show us about theory breaking into practice, and how might the politics explained or implied in these writings inform our analytical and practical grasp of what is to be done now? How are the two key concepts – imperialism and self-determination – explored here by Lenin  relevant? The organised violence of imperialism continues to stalk the earth in the form of its fleshly and ghostly remnants – accumulated underdevelopment – and viscerally in contemporary unequal relations of power that rush value upward, by way of elites, to the ‘economic north’, wherever the owners might reside. But in its muscular liveliness, self-determination hasn’t disappeared from the earth’s surface, nor wholly been absorbed into the system of nation-states mostly disciplined by debt and developmentalism.

We should read as though we are thinking with Lenin in his time while also thinking about the struggle at hand, so that Marxism’s contemporary practicality doesn’t get lost. This practicality cannot be overstated, even if the frenzy of many debates obscures underlying necessity. As an organiser active during the 1930s in New York City explained, ‘We went out every night after supper to knock on strangers’ doors. I’d say “I am from the Communist Party and I am here to help you solve your problems.”’

Introduction by Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Imperialism and the National Question
by V. I. Lenin, Verso

“waiting … [weighed] … in units of measurement of the decomposition of the soul” Sarr

Arcade Fire – My Body is a Cage. Neon Bible, 2007.

Mahalia Jackson – Summertime / Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child. Bless This House, 1956.

International Court of Justice “determined that South Africa has legal standing and ordered Israel to “take all measures within its power” to prevent acts of genocide.

In the court’s view, …, “at least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa to have been committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the [Genocide] Convention,” Justice Donoghue said. 

While the court did not order Israel to cease its attacks, it has nevertheless asked the Israeli military to adhere to the Genocide Convention by preventing and punishing incitement to genocide, as well as by providing humanitarian aid.” (Time)

“DIANA BUTTU: This is an amazing ruling, because it highlights everything that the South African team and, of course, Palestinians have been saying the entire time, which is that Israel is plausibly carrying out genocide. And so, the fact that the court has indicated to Israel that they have to take measures to prevent genocide, to make sure that soldiers are doing the same, to prosecute those individuals who are inciting, including high government officials, and ensure that there is effective humanitarian aid, is precisely what was sought by Palestinians. It’s now up to the world to make sure that this court ruling is actually enacted. (Democracy Now)

“Each of us has to find our question.”

“You look for it so you can confront the silence of a pure and uncompromising question.”

““Other possibilities in life.”

– Sarr