asterisk?

An asterisk drawn on the page visually represents the intersection of many lines meeting at a center point. That's exactly what the Asterisk Series is all about - taking the best arts and cultural events in Indianapolis and bringing them together with you.

In writing, the asterisk is a symbol used to refer the reader to something else. You trace the asterisk on to its explanation elsewhere on the page. Likewise, in the Asterisk Series, the idea is for you to see each event as referring and linking to the next.

Kurt Vonnegut and the Asterisk

Kurt Vonnegut is a native son of Indianapolis and one of America's national treasures. He is the son and grandson of local architects; his grandfather designed the building now known as the Athenaeum. Vonnegut grew up in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood and attended Shortridge High School. He is the author of numerous stories, novels and essays, including Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle and God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. Vonnegut is also a prolific graphic artist. Remarkably, Vonnegut's work, while avant-garde in its approach to form and composition, has managed to attract and retain a vast popular audience across a range of generations. He has an uncanny way of helping us to see life in fresh and unexpected ways. The character and quality of his voice is probably his greatest contribution to American letters. All of his books remain in print. His latest book, Man Without a Country went immediately to Number 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List upon publication in 2005.

Vonnegut has used the asterisk as a personal icon since incorporating it in the text of his novel, Breakfast of Champions in 1973. It was, he said, the picture of an asshole. When we asked him if we could use his symbol to stand for our unique alliance of independent cultural events -- and as homage to the inspiration he he continues to provide to those of us who live, work and create in his hometown -- Mr. Vonnegut said, "I'm honored," adding: "I trust you know what it means."

Read more from him on his site: kurtvonnegut.com