Infinity Goes Up On Trial

Whether he’s lifting lines from old films for lyrics, crooning “The Night We Called it a Day” over the Nash Edgerton-directed video, or taking us to the Bon Bon club in Shadow Kingdom, Bob Dylan’s interest in and admiration of film noir has long been apparent. He seems drawn to the hard-scrabble, world-weary protagonists who travel through the seedy underworlds of big citie

Since Robert Shelton’s New York Times review of Bob Dylan was published almost exactly 63 years ago, on September 29, 1961, Dylan has been the subject of intense critical focus. Journalists, academics, and fans have created an expansive catalog chronicling the minutiae of Dylan’s seven-decades in the public sphere. From studio releases and live performances, through books and f

From the beginning of his career, critics, scholars, and fans have attempted to define Bob Dylan’s identity. Countless interviews and biographies and even Dylan’s 2004 memoir Chronicles: Volume One include myths, half-truths, and obfuscations, leading to lingering questions. These questions are compounded by the public’s perception of him and public images of Dylan used to se

Bob Dylan, like the Grateful Dead, has a loyal and dedicated fanbase who follow his tours, exchange bootleg recordings, and analyze his lyrics and music. Called “Bobcats,” “Bobheads,” or “Dylanologists,” these Dylan fans have created a unique and supportive worldwide community who stay connected through various networks, meet up at shows, and share their love and apprec

On May 23 and 24th, scholars gathered in Odense, Denmark to discuss Dylan’s gender performance at the Bob Dylan: Questions on Masculinity Conference. The keynotes included Anne-Marie Mai, Laura Tenschert, Sean Latham. Court Carney, and me. Other scholars including, Rebecca Slaman, Graley Herren, Paul Haney, and Andrew Ferhibach shared their research and insights on Dylan’s perf

Bob Dylan’s fluid and mercurial shifts in identity performance are a hallmark of his career. A closer investigation of his gender identity performance contextualizes how he conforms to and rebels against traditional constructs of masculinity. In this episode, Laura Tenschert, talented musician and creator and host of the Definitely Dylan podcast, discusses the essay on Dylan and

Bob Dylan’s conversion to Christianity and his subsequent Gospel albums have long delighted and puzzled his fans. However, the themes he explored through a theological lens can be found in his earliest compositions. In this episode, Celucien L. Joseph, Ph.D., theologian, literary scholar, and chair of the English department at San Jacinto College, discusses his current work on Ch

The emotions and ideas in Bob Dylan’s work have an expansive reach that extends beyond his fan base. We see threads of these in myriad aspects of our lives. In this episode, Jason Nodler, Founding Artistic Director of The Catastrophic Theatre, discusses how Dylan’s focus on feeling has influenced his approach to writing and directing. He also shares the values he learned from D

“Infinity Goes Up on Trial” focuses on ideas central to the depth of Bob Dylan’s music, art, and writing in a broader social, cultural, and political context. Discussing these concepts with scholars, artists, educators, activists, and myriad experts, we explore how Dylan’s ideas reflect and encompass all aspects of human existence. With Host Erin Callahan | Launching Ap