ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Ben Lerner's novel 'Transkription' pays tribute to Alexander Kluge

publication · 2026-04-08

Ben Lerner's new book 'Transkription' transforms a failed interview into homage for Alexander Kluge, who died on March 25 at age 94. The American novelist and poet was asked by several major German-language media outlets to honor Kluge in the days following his death. Lerner described Kluge as a writer, public intellectual, co-founder of auteur cinema, television producer, film artist, and wordsmith. In one tribute published by SZ, Lerner suggested a star or constellation should be named after Kluge, noting how theory and poetry converged in him. An obituary in FAZ over Easter weekend featured Lerner's sparse quote 'The end of a world' surrounded by ample white space. The novel explores the uncertain art of memory through this tribute to his friend's rich life.

Key facts

  • Ben Lerner published a new novel titled 'Transkription'
  • The book serves as homage to Alexander Kluge
  • Alexander Kluge died on March 25 at age 94
  • Kluge was a writer, public intellectual, and co-founder of auteur cinema
  • Lerner was asked by multiple German-language media to tribute Kluge
  • FAZ published an obituary with Lerner's quote 'The end of a world'
  • Lerner suggested a star or constellation be named after Kluge
  • The novel transforms a failed interview into memorial

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • FAZ
  • SZ
  • Freitag

Sources