City Lights Booksellers & Publishers present
inconjunction with the Consulate General of France in San Francisco
and the generous assitance of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

An event coinciding with the weekend long symposium:

Trajectories of the Catastrophic:
A Critical Appraisal of the Work of Paul Virilio

Paul Virilio's classic volume Bunker Archeology is evoked as GGNRA
Docent John Arturo Martini and East Bay artist John Colle Rogers give a
presentation at the Battery Townsley bunker. John Martini shall take you on a labyrinths tour, exploring Townsley's origins, discussing local military history, architecture, and geography. He will be followed by John Rogers, presenting a slide show/lecture with references to Paul Virilio's classic work: Bunker Archeology. The slide show will include images of military structures photographed by Virilio, delving into the author’s appreciation of these imposing structures. Rogers will address the relationship of such fortifications to such early writings as Popular Defense and Ecological Struggle, War and Cinema, and Pure War. These structures exist today as rich metaphorical evidence of our tendency to sculpt our environment and extend the will, as well as having a rich utilitarian beauty heightened by their obsolescence.

The tour shall be given twice. Admission is free, but requires making reservations. Admittance shall be on a "first come, first serve" basis. We  request that attendees sign up either at the front counter at City Lights or by e-mailing their reservation to: info@trajectoriesofthecatastrophic.net. Please include your name, phone number, and number of persons attending. Details on how to reach the site will be e-mailed to you in the form of a pdf file or you may pick up a map provided at the front counter at City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA. 94133

Battery Townsley is located in the Marin Headlands, 0.7 mile up the hill from the Fort Cronkhite parking lot, following the Coastal Trail; the walk up to the battery is strenuous so please allow at least 40 minutes. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a warm jacket. A scarf may also be a good idea as the wind chill factor can sometimes abruptly increase. There are public restrooms and potable water only at the parking lot. You may want to bring some bottled water and a snack. We suggest you arrive at least an hour before the scheduled tour to give yourself enough time to hike up the hill.

We are happy to accommodate individuals with disabilities or those who may have difficulty climbing up the steep hill. If you require assistance, please contact us at: info@trajectoriesofthecatastrophic.net or call 415-362-8193 x 24 GGNRA has graciously offered to run transport up to Battery Townsley from the parking lot for those who may need it.


John Arturo Martini



John Arturo Martini is a native San Franciscan and a lifelong researcher into the history of the American West and specializes in historic preservation. He was a national park ranger for more than 25 years and served for many years at the Presidio of San Francisco as curator of military history for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He is the author of several books and articles on San Francisco military history and is currently working on an exhaustive history of all buildings remaining on Alcatraz. He lives in Fairfax, California, with his wife and a pair of pygmy goats.
http://www.fortressalcatraz.com/


John Colle Rogers



John Colle Rogers is a sculptor, visual artist, and blacksmith living in Oakland, CA. He graduated with an MFA from California College of Arts and Crafts. His work critically examines the military/industrial complex, real estate development, and the art market. Past shows have included the Grey Invaders (a series of detailed dioramas), the JohnKo series (presenting a satirical redevelopment of various art venues and art schools as live/work or military installations), and numerous pieces of metal work created with traditional blacksmithing and firearms. He has presented his art individually and in group shows.
www.blankspacegallery.com
www.johnko.biz


Who is Paul Virilio?

Dubbed the "High Priest" of speed, Paul Virilio is a French cultural theorist who examines the effects of technology on culture. Central to his thinking is the exploration of how warfare and the military complex affect society. His work has encompassed a broad range of subjects and disciplines such as art and architecture, culture studies, media studies, politics, urban planning, warfare, technology, and much more. Since the 1960's, he has been producing books and delivering lectures that have received accolades and sparked debate. With Trajectories of the Catastrophic we hope to critically explore the core of his ideas, allowing artists and scholars who have a special connection to his work inquire into his methods and thinking.