Thursday, November 1, 2007

Absurd Alfred Jarry 1873-1907 RIP

Alfred Jarry

Modernism was in transition. The end of the century was approaching. The Symbolist movement was all the rage. But French poet and playwright Alfred Jarry (September 8, 1871 - November 1, 1907) preferred the future. His experiments define the word "avant-garde." He is the grandfather of DADA, SURREALISM, and ABSURDISM. Like L. Ron Hubbard, he even invented his own religion, "pataphysics," but no one took that one too seriously. Like contemporary comedians Andrew "Dice" Clay and Stephen Colbert, Jarry adopted the mannerisms of one of his characters when in public. A man of small stature, but giant ideas, Jarry had his demons and fought them with the green goddess Absinthe. In manner similar to how young Hollywood sought out Charles Bukowski in San Pedro, young writers and artists visited their idol Jarry in Paris during his final years. Poverty and alcohol eventually led to his death from tuberculosis at 34.

Alfred Jarry - nndb

Alfred Jarry - wiki

Ubu Roi - wiki

Pataphysics - wiki

Symbolism - wiki

Modernism - wiki

Dada - wiki

Surrealism - wiki

Absurdism - wiki

Theatre of the Absurd - wiki

Avant-Garde - wiki

Absinthe - wiki

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