Derrida – beside philosophy

I have studied philosophy since the early 1990’s. I took classes at university, after which I spent a decade or so pursuing a better understanding of Sartre through making art, mostly dance and dance videos. I have since moved on to other philosophical explorations, most of which involve the nature of time. So when I watched a documentary about Jaques Derrida with my father, I didn’t expect to find myself enthralled with him, but I went out and picked up the reader soon after. Frankly, I’m less interested in Derrida’s philosophy than in his literature, which does a lot to comment upon and “deconstruct” (is any discussion of Derrida complete without deconstruction?) philosophical writing. I’m glad, though, that Derrida led me to a fruitful relationship with Heidegger, who has been a more direct influence on my studies.

Tympan, in particular, is a cheeky piece, the title of which refers to both book-making and drums, as well as alluding to the eardrum and how one might hear, hearing being the first step toward listening and comprehension. Or not!

My drawings are inspired by the words in the text as well as the appealing double-columned layout.

The first lines are as follows: