New novel is based on the notorious Steve Kurtz case in Buffalo

“Richard Powers’ new novel is based on the notorious Steve Kurtz case in Buffalo,” by William L. Morris, The Buffalo News, January 19, 2014.

SteveKurtzBuffaloNews

A 2008 Buffalo News file photo shows Kurtz at home.

“Orfeo” is based on the strange and tragic case of Steve Kurtz, art professor at UB and founding member of the Critical Art Ensemble. In 2004 he was arrested and had his house torn apart by federal agents when they discovered (without a search warrant) Bio Art in his house the day after his wife died unexpectedly of natural causes. So this book should have special meaning to Buffalo residents who lived through that fiasco.

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