Unsureness and confusion, in the sphere of Dada opinion, became a positive value, and one that had lethal effect of what could be termed systems of hierarchy and classification.
Max Ernst: the Chinese Nightingale (1920)
Like Alfred Jarry, dada postulated a “pataphysical” logic of absurdity that had its own syntax, coded language and a kind of poetry of being that was simultaneously bohemian and ambitious. But nothing has really changed. A template was made in which brilliant and daring, if irresponsible minds are able to enjoy the liberty of fragmenting the traditional: a nonrational metaphysic of opposition of oppositions for a rationalized hierarchy of values. A collision of accident, confusion and disunity with apparent moral opposites.
—Rationalization is on the March!—(1927) John Heartfield
A brawling and mystical climax that just reincarnates in new contexts….
COMMENTS