Nathaniel Mackey, Destination Out: Essays on His Work

Prominent critics respond to Nathaniel Mackey's major oeuvre, which is affirmative and utopic, negational and dystopic. Mackey's work envisions cultural creation as cross-cultural, based on the damaging relationships of Africans brought against their will to the Americas and the resulting innovations of New World African literatures and music. The collection engages Mackey's spiritual and esoteric disposition and his attention to the "enraged sociologies" of Black music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: University of Iowa Press

In this groundbreaking collection of essays, esteemed critics delve into the intricate and multifaceted world of Nathaniel Mackey's remarkable oeuvre. Spanning a wide range of genealogies and traditions, primarily rooted in African and African diaspora histories and cultures, Mackey's work presents a visionary perspective on cultural creation. It envisions cultural production as a cross-cultural endeavor, intricately woven from the damaging relationships of Africans forcibly brought to the Americas, resulting in the flourishing of New World African literatures and music. This collection is thoughtfully structured to offer accessible entry points into Mackey's complex and thought-provoking work. The essays are organized around broad themes, including myth, literature, and seriality; music, performance, and collaboration; syncretism, synopsis, and what-saying. They engage Mackey's spiritual and esoteric inclinations, as well as his profound attention to the "enraged sociologies" of Black music, as articulated by Amiri Baraka. Mackey's manifesto, "Destination Out," provides a revealing glimpse into his artistic vision, describing his work as a longing to bid all givens goodbye and as a centrifugal force that propels him forward. At the same time, it reveals a centripetal aspect, manifesting a reflexive interiority that emerges through recurring forms.

Contributors to this extraordinary collection include renowned scholars and critics such as Maria Damon, Joseph Donahue, Rachel Blau DuPlessis, Norman Finkelstein, Luke Harley, Paul Jaussen, Adalaide Morris, Fred Moten, Peter O Leary, and Anthony Reed. Each contributor brings their unique insights and perspectives, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of Mackey's artistic achievements.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781609387587