Why Lettrism
5
Besides to the extent that this 'intellectual elite' of modern
Europe still retains an approximation of intelligence and the
vestiges of culture, the confusion which we have spoken of no
longer holds sway. Those of our companions over the years who try
once again to draw attention to it, or simply to live by their
pens, have become so idiotic in order to fool the world. They sadly
ruminate the same attitudes which will be reused more quickly by
others. They don't know how a method of renewal refreshes life.
Ready to abandon everything to appear in the "new new French
review", like clowns kindly presenting their tricks because their
quest never leads anywhere, they lament the fact that they never
find a place in this swamp whether that of Etiemble - the
consideration that has even been granted to Caillos - or the
appointment of Aron.
There is even cause to believe that their last ambition will be to
found a little judeo-plastic religion. With a bit of luck they'll
wind up as some sort of Father Divine, as Mormons of aesthetic
creation.
Let's pass on from these people who have amused us before. The
amusements which overtake a man are an exact measure of his
mediocrity: base-ball or automatic writing, what does it matter?
The idea of success, when it is not tied up with the most simple
desires, is inseparable from the complete overthrow at the
planetary level. The remnants of successful breakthroughs always
strongly resemble a worse block. What we find more valuable in our
actions is to succeed in undoing our many habits and ingrained
associations. It could well be said that it is rare enough for
people to make their life, that part of their life where they are
allowed a choice, be in harmony with their feelings and views. It
is good to be a fanatic over certain things. An
orientalist-occultist magazine at the beginning of the year spoke
of us as "..the most melancholic spirits, anaemic theoreticians of
the virtues of 'supercession', otherwise purely of a verbal
effect". It is good that the effect of those who embarrass these
creeps is not merely verbal. Naturally, you don't have to dynamite
the bridges of the Ile de Louis to accentuate the insular character
of this locality nor, on the opposite bank, complicate and
embellish the brickwork of the Bernard quay. We do what is most
urgent with the limited resources we have at the moment. Thus, by
contradicting various porkchops who approach us, by making a quick
end to confusionist attempts at 'joint action' with us, by
completely doing without indulgence, we prove to those sane
individuals the necessary existence of the virus in question. But
if we are ill, our detractors are dead.
While on this subject, let us clarify an attitude that certain
people, amongst the most avoidable, have reproached us for: the
expulsion of not a few participants of the Lettrist International
and systematic allure taken by this kind of penalty.
In fact, we find it appropriate to take positions rather close to
all the aspects of life which present themselves to us. Amongst all
these positions we take, some of them are held dear by us, just as
are some of the lines of research. All other modes of friendship,
of worldly relationships, or even good manners leave us indifferent
or disgusted. Objective shortcomings in this sort of agreement can
only be sanctioned by a break. It is better to change friends than
ideas.
In the final analysis, judgement is made according to the existence
the parson leads. The promiscuities that the expelled people have
for the most part accepted or re-accepted; the generally dishonest
arrangements, in extreme cases that they have underwritten, give
the exact degree of gravity to our quickly resolved disagreements;
and perhaps also the importance of our understanding.
Far from defending ourselves from making these hostilities a
personal matter, we declare on the contrary that the idea that we
have human relations obliges us to make these personal issues,
determined by definitive questions of ideas. Those who resign,
condemn themselves: we have nothing to deal with; nothing to
excuse.
Those who have fallen by the wayside of Lettrism are starting to
make up quite a number. But there are infinitely more people who
live and die without ever having a chance to understand and take
part. From this point of view, each is greatly responsible for
whatever talents they are able to have. Should we put up with
pathetic individual resignations out of sentimental considerations
?
Go to Why Lettrism 6