Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 10:15:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Alan Gullette <alang-AT-creative.net>
Subject: The spider and the [butter]fly


To clarify my last post:

I was trying to agree with Stuart, to an extent, that a static
definition is undesirable and limiting.

My broader point, perhaps only of philosophical interest, was
that even though we may need to work with definitions it is 
important to realize their anaesthetic property, which may
otherwise be fatal.  

As Pierre pointed out, the very problem with coordinating the
various factions of surrealism for the purposes of the Exhibition
is precisely their difference of interpretation or definition.

Since the Exhibition is an attempt to transcend these differences,
perhaps to discover the "essence" of surrealism beyond fixed
conceptions, it would seem important to begin by recognizing all 
of those variants of surrealism AS surrealism.  (Actually the
"purpose" of the Exhibition is to display the current face(s)
of surrealism, reveal it as a living animal in all its species,
and give vent to its need for expression as living action.)

So, define away! Each group will have its own definition (I imagine
dissent within each group cropping up in their attempt to arrive 
at "their" definition!).  To the extent that we are closed to other 
interpretations we are isolated and the "movement" ceases -- we become 
caught in our own web of definition.  Surrealism is the living spider that 
navigates the web of various lines of definition.  

(No, Tarantulas do not spin webs; but there ARE both Bob Dylan
and Poe websites! What ho! I'm dancing mad!)

alang-AT-creative.net
http://www.creative.net/~alang