Henry Miller Library Celebrates 30th Anniversary This Summer

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Parent Category: Travel Info

Category: Things To Do

Published on Sunday, 17 July 2011 16:27

Written by Film Festival Traveler Staff

Who is Henry Miller and why does he have a library dedicated to him?

As Wikipedia explains:

Henry Valentine Miller (December 26, 1891 – June 7, 1980) was an American novelist and painter best known for breaking with existing literary forms and developing a new sort of 'novel' that is a mixture of story, autobiography, social criticism, philosophical reflection, surrealist free association, and mysticism, one that is distinctly always about and expressive of the real-life Henry Miller and yet is also fictional.

His most characteristic works of this kind are Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn and Black Spring. He also wrote travel memoirs and essays of literary criticism and analysis.

In Big Sur, California, where he lived for many years, is the Henry Miller Memorial Library, which houses a collection of his works and celebrates his literary, artistic and cultural legacy by providing a public gallery as well as performance and workshop spaces for artists, musicians, students, and writers.

This story begins in the 1960s, when painter and Miller-confidant Emil White bought a piece of property in the heart of Big Sur, 35 miles south of Carmel. It was here that he built his house, which in 1981 he converted into the Henry Miller Memorial Library, a space devoted to the incalculable artistic legacy of his friend who passed away the previous year.

Emil died in 1989 and bequeathed the Library to the Big Sur Land Trust; in 1998 the Library became an independent 501 (c)3 organization. All the while, it stayed true to Emil's vision, serving as a retreat and cultural center for artists, musicians, and writers from all around the world.

And what of the space itself -- and a tiny one at that?

It contains most of Miller's in-print work, rare books, vinyl, and healthy doses of the old stand-bys: Beats, the classics, Eastern philosophy, and the occasional best-seller about the emotional lives of an animal.

The front lawn serves as a stage for live performances with a capacity of 300 (hence the Spin article that Arcade Fire played a "backyard show." Though technically, it's the front yard.)

But that's getting ahead of things. Something happened in 1993 that, over time, transformed the library from a cozy little bookstore to the beloved sanctuary that its fans come to love. That would be the ascension of Magnus Toren to role of Library Executive Director.

Magnus is from Sweden, and in addition to circumnavigating the globe in his tiny schooner, has built boats in Seattle, drove a truck out of Fresno, and as a teacher, he made his students dress up like Hells Angels. ("But," Toren says, "my favorite job of all time was to be coat-check at the Opera House in Stockholm.")

As his tenure progressed, events at the Library became more frequent and impressive in their diversity and scope. In 2004, Patti Smith played the Library's first official show. It was orchestrated by Toren with help from Jesse Goodman.

"What am I doing here?" Smith asked from the stage.

Then a few years later, something else happened. Magnus began partnering with Britt Govea, a Monterey County/ San Francisco-based promoter who goes under the guise (((folkYEAH!))) Presents.

It was then that the Library entered its first Golden Age (2005-present): Henry Rollins, DJ Spooky, Band of Horses, Al Jardine, Tallest Man on Earth, Edward Sharpe, Cat Power, Animal Collective, Pegi and Neil Young, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Chris Robinson, The XX, Arcade Fire - as well as Jesse Goodman-produced shows from Laurie Anderson, Yo La Tengo and Marianne Faithful, and the list goes on.

But the Library is far more than "big" events. It hosts writing workshops, the renowned International Big Sur Short Film Screening Series (now in its 6th year), children's art shows, the Big Big Big Sur Fashion Show, book and poetry readings, and so much more.

It also hosts one of the largest archives of Henry Miller's work in the world, and houses a handful of carefully selected interns to help digitize and manage it.

Which brings us back to the present. Thirty years on, with the help of countless selfless and talented individuals, Magnus has transformed the Henry Miller Memorial Library into one of the most dynamic and unique art spaces in the world and a great travel destination to boot.

The Library has been 'doing' a lot over the years. "Doing for the sake of beauty, literature and art, 'doing' to nurture the things that arguably makes life worth living; that's the 'doing' we understand," Miller said. "To live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware."

We like to think he's egging us on when doing what we do.

And with no sign of slowing down, we happily encourage all intrepid souls -- music-lovers, wandering poets, Parisians, restless spirits, aspiring writers, unfulfilled bankers, clove-cigarette smokers burning with wanderlust, Miller disciples, laid-off Silicon Valley yuppies, refugees from bourgeois society, aspiring gurus, and even over-worked lawyers from New York's Upper West Side - to come join in the celebration.

"It was sublime to play in the mist under the gigantic trees.One of the most beautiful and spiritual places in the world."

2011 Calendar of Events

• 07/07/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 07/08/11 - Author Colleen Morton Busch: Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara
• 07/09/11 - Theatre & Music w/ Rose, Razowsky & Hunicutt
• 07/14/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 07/16/11 - Book signing w/ Andy Couturier
• 07/21/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 07/28/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 07/30/11 - Film screening: My Suicide
• 07/31/11 - Woodsist Festival
• 08/04/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 08/10/11 - MGMT
• 08/11/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 08/13/11 - An Evening with John Waters
• 08/13/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 08/25/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series
• 08/26/11 - Big Sur International Short Film Series w/ The Dodos
• 08/31/11 - Poetry Night presented by Philip Glass
• 09/01/11 - Dradcula: Music by Philip Glass; string quartet & piano
• 09/05/11 - Explosions in the Sky
• 09/06/11 - Little Dragon
• 09/11/11 - Fleet Foxes
• 09/24/11 - Twin Shadow
• 10/10/11 - Gang Gang Dance

Remember, it's not a lending library -- it's a bookstore. The Library exists solely thanks to in-store and online book sales, income from events, and -- most importantly -- tax-deductible donations, which can be made at: henrymiller.org

Opening hours:
Every day 11 AM - 6 PM
(Closed Tuesdays)

The Henry Miller Memorial Library
Highway One
35 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Big Sur, CA 93920
831-667-2574

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