Questions about 'pataphysics.: Philosophy Forums

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Questions about 'pataphysics.

Questions about 'pataphysics.

Robotron
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Posted 10/17/09 - 10:04 PM: Subject: Questions about 'pataphysics.	#1
What are some good sources on defining exactly what 'pataphysics is with as much clarity as the topic allows for? What are some examples of 'pataphysical art or art that could be considered inspired by 'pataphysics in different media (hopefully there are some examples in film/painting/literature/music)? Is 'pataphysics closely related to self-reference? Any responses on the subject, even if they are not directly related to the questions at hand would be appreciated.

Postmodern Beatnik
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Posted 10/18/09 - 06:24 AM:	#2
'Pataphysics is purposefully and explicitly a parody of science and reason employed as part of Alfred Jarry's proto-surrealist aesthetic. Sometimes, this parody was no more sophisticated than Jarry turning everything upside-down and backwards, as with the titular character from his play Ubu Roi -- and later Jarry himself -- who would eat dessert first and appetizers last. But it was also described as "the science of imaginary solutions." The joke is obvious, but following through on the description gets you to something quite parallel with the Dadaists' and Surrealists' obsession with Freud. Imaginary solutions, after all, are the realm of a runaway unconscious mind that speculates on speculations and creates explanations for events that never happened. Because it is defined loosely and ironically, there is only so much that one can confidently describe something as 'pataphysical. To answer your question about 'pataphysical media, however, one might see at least the influence of 'pataphysics in most Surrealist art (Jarry being a major influence on Surrealism). 'Pataphysical concerns have also been attributed to those following up on the Surrealists, such as John Cage and Rube Goldberg. If you're looking for some basic information, I suggest trying the Wikipedia page on 'pataphysics. For how the concept has been developed, try looking up the related notion of a 'pataphor. Robotron wrote: Any responses on the subject, even if they are not directly related to the questions at hand would be appreciated. How very 'pataphysical! Was that on purpose?
"Wandering in a vast forest at night, I have only a faint light to guide me. A stranger appears and says to me: 'My friend, you should blow out your candle in order to find your way more clearly.' This stranger is a theologian." -- Denis Diderot

notquitethere
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Posted 10/18/09 - 07:32 AM:	#3
Oui! Oulipo may be your friend here. The French literary movement related to pataphysics, which sought to explore the hidden potentials in literature through (often mathematical) constraints. There are lots of different oulipo sites on the net, but I recommend getting a hold of the Oulipo Compendium, which any good library should have a copy of.
"Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise." - The Duchess

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