CLASSIFICATION
Swallow ID:
6261
Partner Institution:
Simon Fraser University
Source Collection Label:
Reading in BC Collection
Sub Series:
Reading in BC Collection
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Title:
Sacred Geography Seminar: Prof. Robin Blaser lecture at SFU on October 1, 1976 Tape 2 of 2 #622
Title Source:
cassette and j-card
Language:
English
Production Context:
Classroom recording
Genre:
Speeches: Talks
Identifiers:
[]
Rights
Rights:
Copyright Not Evaluated (CNE)
CREATORS
Name:
Blaser, Robin
Dates:
1925-2009
Role:
"Speaker"
CONTRIBUTORS
MATERIAL DESCRIPTION
Image:
Recording Type:
Analogue
AV Type:
Audio
Material Designation:
Cassette
Physical Composition:
Magnetic Tape
Extent:
1/8 inch
Track Configuration:
2 track
Playback Mode:
Stereo
Sound Quality:
Poor
Physical Condition:
Excellent
Other Physical Description:
Black and white clear jewel case with J-card
DIGITAL FILE DESCRIPTION
Channel Field:
Stereo
Sample Rate:
44.1 kHz
Duration:
T00:30:50
Size:
39.5 MB
Bitrate:
32 bit
Encoding:
WAV for master files and .MP3 for online files
Channel Field:
Stereo
Sample Rate:
44.1 kHz
Duration:
T00:30:50
Size:
39.5 MB
Bitrate:
32 bit
Encoding:
WAV for master files and .MP3 for online files
Dates
Date:
1976-10-01
Type:
Performance Date
Source:
J-card
LOCATION
Address:
8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
Venue:
Simon Fraser University
Latitude:
49.2784
Longitude:
-122.9231
CONTENT
Contents:
Side Track No. Comments
One 000
001 Blaser discussing the notion of duality in Egyptian cosmology as found in The Book of the Dead. He then goes on to speculate on the alterations in the relationships between the Egyptian gods. Further speculation is given to the results of Set; homosexual tendencies
037 Notion of duality. Blaser draws interesting assumption as he displays that Oasis is death from which life arises and Set is life from which death arises. As the relationship between the two gods deteriorate, Death becomes a visible, semi-separate entity unto itself
055 The shift in emphasis on the worship of Set by the Egyptians
074 Blaser describes the ideas, mainly the “layers of the world” concept, that he wants the students to keep in mind as they read and re-read the text(s)
160 Discussion turns to the “central issues”, relating from two particular texts, they being Causal Mythology and Poetry and Truth. Some of these “issues” include the notions of narrative and vocabulary
203 Beginning of a discussion on the narrative as having two particular facets, that of speech and that of speaking. Blaser goes on to say “…narrative is made up of events, not facts.” He stresses the ability of the narrative to pull the reader into the work
225 Investigation into what Blaser calls “the means whereby we wish to speak of the active mode…” Topics such as sense, nonsense and a “pure” language are to be raised
250 Reiteration of the active role the reader must play in the events of the narrative
277 “Presence” in the work of Jack Spicer, who most of the preceding discussion dealt with. Also, introduction of Surrealistic concepts into the discourse, specifically “the violent displacement of language that is then intended to control the marvelous”
292 Suggestion to read specific letters of Arthur Rimbaud. The letters announce the psychological notion of “otherness”
325 Blaser lays great emphasis, perhaps even the major emphasis of the entire course, on the “constant operation of the language”. Elaboration follows
367 Foucault, French poet, and his analysis of the evolution of the modern mind is stressed. It too utilized the concept of “otherness’ in a slightly economic sense
420 Tape ends, cutting Blaser off in a discussion of scientific principles
Two 000
001 Tape cuts in on some humorous interplay between Blaser and his students
003 Discussion moves back to the multi-textured issue of language. Language, it is stressed, by its very nature involves a sense of “otherness”. “I’m not paying any attention, at this point, to God and all that stuff” says Blaser; he is dealing with direct experience
010 The consciousness of modern language and its restructuring. Blaser reads from an essay by Zollah, the title of the essay is unintelligible – that stresses social oneness. Linguistic origins and the developments of Indo-European tongue are brought to the discussion, especially the connection between myth, symbols and the resulting language in the construction of the self
075 Question of a point of detail from a member of the seminar. Blaser responds by reading from the text and repeating some of what he said previously. He uses the question as the link to “the consistent movement inside language”
095 Blaser turns to a book by Western Labarr called Ghostdance for which he expresses particular disdain for its overly simplistic and naturalistic approach to the subject of religion
148 Question from a seminar member concerning Spicer. Blaser feels the student has misunderstood his position and goes to re-explain that “the consistent efforts of all these texts is to speak to its own historical past”, adding further examples to strengthen his position. The student seems satisfied with the response, as do others in the seminar
278 Turn to Causual Mythology as reading for next seminar is assigned
282 Class breaks up with Blaser commenting on how much he appreciates question and dissent in his classes
287 Sound ends
410 Side two over
Notes:
SFU BC Readings formatting
NOTES
Note:
Prof. Blaser’s “Sacred Geography” series breaks down into two organizational components, that of semi-formal lectures and that of seminars. The lectures have been indexed and are to be found throughout the Audio Tape Holdings catalogue under their respective accession numbers. The indexing is fairly self-explanatory. The seminars are not indexed for a variety of reasons, however, in conjunction with its respective lecture tape, each seminar is both important and invaluable to an understanding of the “Sacred Geography” series and the intentions of Prof. Blaser.
“And knowing”, Confucius says, “brings one to the goal”. Sacred Geography Lecture, October 22, 1976 (#630)
RELATED WORKS