Van Veldt on Beckett, from Juliet’s book.
He sees himself as dead as he is more alive than anyone else.
He is dispossessed and he has this frightening strength. Both are necessary.
That’s right, he has managed to live without his head.
[On Artaud] He has fallen apart. And you can understand how that can happen to a person. He is so fragile. Beckett’s different: he has managed to contain his drive towards madness.
Van Velde was happy with what he has painted. Beckett visits him. He told Beckett he was almost satisfied. Beckett, expressionlessly: ‘There’s really no reason to be’.
Beckett to Nadeau: I can’t write. I’m not low enough. Van Velde comments: ‘You have to keep as low as you can’.
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