Various Paradigms

Various Paradigms is a new bimonthly column written by Ann DeWitt about words, art, film, politics and poetics. The title is a tribute to conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner’s typographic texts.  Weiner once wrote, “Bits and Pieces Put Together To Present A Semblance of A Whole.”  This column hopes to follow in that tradition of engagement, intimacy and experiment.  

Photo of Luke Goebel by Marie Goebel. 

Various Paradigms Conversed About in Full or Brief: The Corona Cougar portable typewriter, gaping wounds, emotional support animals, units of sound, Barry Hannah, Freudian analysts, Texas, the Breaking Bad RV,  writing in the “Bounder,” how to farm out a plane.

Luke Goebel and I first crossed paths in the world in 2010 when he was guest editing an issue of Everyday Genius. He solicited a story of mine called “Congregation.”  He sent me the following reply to my story:

“Dear Ann, Heft and grit! You have the words of those I admire greatly. Calls to mind Noy Holland, one of my teachers, mentors, gods. Don’t tell anyone, but there’s a reprint of one of her stories in the next issue. One from her first book now out of print, THE SPECTACLE OF THE BODY. Thank you, also, for your admiration of TYRANT. Giancarlo is truly a great editor, in all meanings of the word.

Ann, You can send to me now if you like. The next issue, as I said, is full. But I can read  work for the next TYRANT now.

As far as word count, page limits, etc. No such thing. What we do want is to be implicated in the story as soon as possible. I have to give credit for the word implicated in this use to Gordon Lish.

Anyhow, you have my blessing. Send whatever you like, whenever. And it will be considered for the next issue.

Best,

LUKE

TYRANT”

Heft and grit, I thought.  "This guy gets it.“  Here was my original email, laconic but sincere:

“Dear Editors,

I am a fan.  Many humble thank yous for reading.

Fondly,

Annie DeWitt” 

And my reply:

"Luke, Hope the sense of strangeness carries you home. Sent a few things over at your Tyrant account for Genius and Tyrant. Whenever. Let me know. Thanks for the window. Cheers. ~A.”

Through the years we stayed indiscriminately but curiously in touch:

Luke:  "I’m sitting at my vinyl lemon yellow kitchenette set listening to Hall & Oats and eating salad with my sister about to head to SXSW in Austin.“

Annie: "I am ALSO actually sitting at my vinyl yellow kitchenette set. (I’m convinced, Life exists in these weird overlapping transparencies.) But I’m in Brooklyn listening to an old Rita Coolidge record, "It’s...