Chance Operations
In one section of Tzara’s “Dada Manifesto on Feeble & Bitter Love," he offers the following instructions to make a Dadaist poem, here translated from the original French by Barbara Wright:
Take a newspaper.
Take some scissors.
Choose from this paper an article the length you want to
make your poem.
Cut out the article.
Next carefully cut out each of the words that make up
this article and put them all in a bag.
Shake gently.
Next take out each cutting one after the other.
Copy conscientiously in the order in which they left the bag.
Take some scissors.
Choose from this paper an article the length you want to
make your poem.
Cut out the article.
Next carefully cut out each of the words that make up
this article and put them all in a bag.
Shake gently.
Next take out each cutting one after the other.
Copy conscientiously in the order in which they left the bag.
The poem will resemble you.
And there you are--an infinitely original author of charming sensibility, even though unappreciated by the vulgar herd.
I look forward to seeing yours, but won't be trying one myself. I'm far to lazy.
ReplyDeleteYou are nothing if not original, Helen.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, what Sabine said.
I am curious about the poem resembling you.
ReplyDeleteI might try later in the month.
I am thinking I might be far too lazy to NOT try this later. I'm running out of stuff to post.
ReplyDeleteYes, my thought (and motivation) exactly.
DeleteI will possibly try this.
ReplyDelete