erikwennermark.com

The True Story of Yu Tien

2010-06-28T21:06:30Z

Newly released upstreet #6 has my story "The True Story of Yu Tien" closing down the issue (as I am wont). Coincidentally, with my release of the novel into the interwebs just the other day, this story is an altered excerpt from the book. Mag looks great, order it up!

I am Falun Gong PDF

2010-06-26T00:19:33Z

After much consideration I’ve decided to make the entire manuscript of my novel I am Falun Gong available online. I do this for many reasons, foremost that I wrote it to be read and I would hope that by making it available someone might get some enjoyment out of reading it. But I also do it because I am no longer sure if there is any meaningful difference between putting a PDF file online and going through the process of having the book published by more traditional means. Let’s be frank, I am Falun Gong is probably not a best seller and I am almost certain to get a similar financial reward (that is nothing) from either enterprise and at this point would just rather have the damn thing out there than languishing on my computer (as it has been for years) waiting to hear back from this agent or that publisher. And while it would be nice to have something I could hold in my hand, a tangible bound reward for the many years of labor I put into this book, I guess I can make do with its appearance on a Kindle or whatever else. So, without further ado, here tis, I am Falun Gong.

Interview w/ Dutes and Stan

2010-05-31T16:52:46Z

Jeriah Hildwine and I interviewed Dutes Miller and Stan Shellaberger a little while back and the audio is now up on the Chicago Art Magazine site. I for one enjoyed the hell out of it and think it turned out pretty well. It was supposed to turn into some kind of feature but never really did. Anywho, check it out.

Ha!

2010-05-12T18:45:22Z

A review of my story Jukebox Hero here.

Some Arts and Miscellany

2010-04-24T00:15:52Z

Just some pics of some stuffs I enjoyed during my last gallery walks. The sidewalk crab might have been my fave. Western Ex and nearby environs. Plus the big fire next to Duks--the burger joint down the street.

Quick Take: Hephaestus at Goodman Theater

2010-04-13T02:16:36Z

Marion scored some preview tickets to "Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale"at Goodman Theater last night from a friend so we went. Not the type of thing I see on the regular, but it was a diverting hour plus. The guys who created this are obviously fans of Cirque de Soliel (of which I have seen 3 production -- my mom's a fan) and the influence was clear throughout (along with a healthy portion of Thunderdome). From the youngster narrating the action from her bed to the music to manner of introducing the varying acrobatics, etc. all very Cirque. So it makes sense to compare the show to my experiences there. And yes, Cirque de Soleil is better.

But it is also more expensive (I would assume), and certainly in a larger venue with much less intimate contact with the performers--these guys and gal were literally on top of us in the small theater. My feet were brushed by passing dancers on more than one occasion--thanks god there were no clowns to harass the crowd, I'm sure I would have been a prime target.

As far as minuses, the costumes were dreadful. Like a mid-nineties rave. No joke. Exactly like a mid-nineties rave. The music was piped in, aside from the drumming, while Cirque is all live. But that's really about it as far as complaints.

The story was a retelling of the tale of Hephaestus, blacksmith to the gods; his literal fall and return, wrapped in the ever familiar contemporary frame tale of family squabbles, sad little kid--think Neverending Story. In the end, certainly an entertaining evening. Check it out!

long time no post

2010-03-29T04:15:15Z

Just realized it's been a month since I posted. Been working (instead of dicking around online!) on several new essays--possibly with the idea of a new themed collection--hopefully be posting more info soon.

2 new characters @ YKTV

2010-03-01T04:14:20Z

Meet Alonzo the Armless and Zuo Zhizang, two new characters at You Kill the Villagers. How 'bout a round of applause:

Quick Take: Snow Days Revisited

2010-02-22T18:52:24Z

A couple of weeks ago I wrote kind of a fun/silly piece for Chicago Art Magazine about the Snow Days Snow Sculpture competition in Grant Park. I did, however, make one somewhat serious point about the sculptures on display, being that well... they would melt. The cruel wonder of ephemeral art and all. Part of the plan was that I would go back with my camera and capture the resultant display, which I did, but actually forgot my camera so instead used my phone. The pics aren't great but they're better than I thought they'd be. Thanks new phone!

Anyhow, I could write some sort of labored purple ode to the dead sculptures, and in fact probably should, but I'm kind of tired and have to do money work for the next three days so I'll just say I was struck by how much more meaningful the sculptures seemed to be in their distressed state. How much more respect the viewers seemed to show the work (in comparison to the frantic carnival of the competition). The quiet. The lack of children. The cemetery-like aspect. As if they had been given a thousand years of gravity in a few short weeks. As they say, rather than a thousand more words, the pictures.

Meet Peg

2010-02-18T20:03:56Z

Your new friend at youkillthevillagers.com

Peg's story