Creating a community of readers with Finnegans Waves: A Reading Machine

Experience Finnegans Wake during a unique two-part event

Join the University at Buffalo’s Techne Institute as we explore James Joyce through a unique two-part experience. Finnegans Waves: A Reading Machine invites everyday people to create a community of readers by reading James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake out loud together. For the duration of this reading, a Recirculation Café will feature workshops, concerts, and a range of activities related to Joyce and the study of his oeuvre.  This two-part event will last from noon until midnight on November 1.

Finnegans Waves is a unique, one of a kind event, not only for Buffalo but for the greater Joycean community. Award-winning artist and director Christian Giriat will guide readers through this artistic and social experiment. We are actively seeking readers to participate by reading the text in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese.

Readers will gather at The 9 Ward at Babeville and will work with Giriat and each other to create the performance inside the Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center Cinema. As a thank you for participating, readers will receive a free, limited edition t-shirt.

Audience members may observe the reading, via closed circuit video feed, at the Recirculation Café at The 9 Ward at Babeville. Enjoy light refreshments as you take in the reading and related talks and performances. Local talent and scholars will present visual and digital experiments, music, and even an Arts and Sciences cabaret. You are encouraged to come and go throughout the event.

You can experience this unique event as a reader or an audience member – or both! We invite you to sign up to read HERE. As a thank you for participating, readers will receive a free, limited edition t-shirt.Entry to the Recirculation Café will be free and open to the public throughout the performance.

This event is produced by UB’s Techne Institute for Art and Emerging Technologies with the support of Hallwalls and UB Theater and Dance Department.