From the "How the hell did I miss this?" file, I just learned about The Codex Seraphinianus, an art book from the late 70s by Italian polymath Luigi Serafini. The book is an "encyclopedia" from another world, a very Borgesian concept. The book also seems reminiscent of the enigmatic Voynich Manuscript, which can be downloaded from the Beinecke Library website. Note to self... visit Beinecke while dressed as Wilbur Whateley, demand to see Necronomicon. Hilarity sure to ensue.
Back to the Codex Seraphinianus, the images manage to be beautiful and slightly disturbing at the same time. The work is reminiscent of Del Toro at his best or Kliban at his most outré. Sadly, the book is very expensive... purchasing it would seriously cut into the booze fund. I checked the county library system, but the book is not available.
Note to self, get Wilbur Whateley costume out of storage, don't travel by train...
I can e-mail you a PDF if you like.
ReplyDeleteNote to self... visit Beinecke while dressed as Wilbur Whateley, demand to see Necronomicon. Hilarity sure to ensue.
ReplyDeleteOr a visit from the campus police...
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Forgive the non sequitur, but I can no longer find Sadly, No! This is distressing me. Neither Chrome nor Safari has been able to find the server for days,now. You are not my only hope, just my best one. I miss lurking there. Thanks for your own interesting posts, by the way. I lurk around here a lot, as well.
ReplyDeleteAnother library visit for your itinerary.
ReplyDeletethe book is very expensive... purchasing it would seriously cut into the booze fund
ReplyDeleteIIRC, the 2013 reprint was selling for about $75.
There used to be a scanned PDF circulating around the Interducts. I have temporarily uploaded a copy here (54 megs).
I can e-mail you a PDF if you like.
ReplyDeleteSmut, that would be a kindness!
Or a visit from the campus police...
Yeah, it's not a far drive from Old Campus.
Forgive the non sequitur, but I can no longer find Sadly, No! This is distressing me.
The server was moved, and there have been problems ever since. The folks in the white coats are working on it. Good to see you back, where ya been, BP?
Another library visit for your itinerary.
I'd read about those elsewhere... I wonder if they have De Vermis Mysteriis...
There used to be a scanned PDF circulating around the Interducts. I have temporarily uploaded a copy here (54 megs).
Smut, you are a king amongst men! Thanks! I owe you a beer!
I haven't been to "Sadly, No" in AGES.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Voynich Manuscript -- I just ordered a paper copy so I can drool over its enigmatic pages by candlelight and be all properly ooky spooky. (Ok, fine, I am pre-planning entertainment for our next power outage!) It tickles me that one of my favorite-EVAH sci-fi novels uses the word Voynich to name peculiar mechanized (?) beings in a future 'post-human" earth...it works because nobody knows where the hell THEY came from either.
I just ordered a paper copy so I can drool over its enigmatic pages by candlelight and be all properly ooky spooky. (Ok, fine, I am pre-planning entertainment for our next power outage!)
ReplyDeleteMake sure you have a weird green glass paperweight shaped like four attached globes... sinister intersection optional.
It tickles me that one of my favorite-EVAH sci-fi novels uses the word Voynich to name peculiar mechanized (?) beings in a future 'post-human" earth...it works because nobody knows where the hell THEY came from either.
I'm intrigued... what novel is this?
Dan Simmons' "Ilium" and "Olympos" duo of novels. He messes with the word a bit..says "Voynix"...but as their origin and purpose are as enigmatic as the manuscript, I think that HAD to be his origin of the term.
ReplyDelete