IPP Workshop Series: ‘A Million Possible Things’: Introduction to Magic Realism (David E. Susa)

This workshop introduces the polysemic and debated concept of Magic Realism. From its original formulation by the German art critics Franz Roh in 1925, this denomination became one of the most important categories for describing a heterogenic set of artistic works from the mid- to late-twentieth century. This session will reconstruct the origins, history and importance Magic Realism, as well as the debates surrounding its usefulness as a scholarly concept. Literature will be the privileged art form of the workshop and special emphasis will be placed on Latin-Americans authors, whose contribution to this style of writing and its understanding is undeniable. 

The session will start with a general introduction, explaining the trajectory of the driving concept, followed by an overview of its features, which will be contrasted with other simultaneous/similar artistic movements. Later, the attendees will receive text samples to read and discuss. The fragments will be then contextualized by the instructor, and finally, the session will close with a brief overview of the contemporary approaches to Magic Realism, including, for instance, unnatural narratology.

This workshop will be accessible five minutes before 14:00 through the following link:

https://uni-giessen.webex.com/meet/ipp20-21

Note: The sessions of the IPP Workshop Series are open for BA, MA and PhD students and the participants do not require any previous knowledge to take part.

Suggested Bibliography (not required): 

- Roh, Franz (1995/1925). “Magic Realism: Post-Expressionism”. In Parkinson Zamora, Lois and Faris, Wendy B. (Eds). Magical Realism: Theory, History, Community. Durham (USA): Duke University Press.

- Carpentier, Alejo (1995/1949). "On the Marvelous Real in America". In Parkinson Zamora, Lois and Faris, Wendy B. (Eds). Magical Realism: Theory, History, Community. Durham (USA): Duke University Press.

//David E. Susa (IPP)