The Radical Use of Chance in 20th Century Art (Faux Titre, 366)

To many, chance and art are antagonistic terms. But a number of 20th century artists have turned this notion on its head by attempting to create artworks based on randomness. Among those, three in particular articulated a well-argued and thorough theory of the radical use of chance in art: André Breton (writer), John Cage (composer) and François Morellet (visual artist). The implications of such a move away from established aesthetics are far-reaching, as much in conceptual as in practical terms, as this book hopes to make clear. Of paramount importance in this __coincidentia oppositorum__ is the suggested possibility of a correlation between the artistic use of chance and a system of thought itself organised around chance. Indeed placing randomness at the centre of one's art may have deeper philosophical consequences than just on the aesthetical level. Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 General Introduction 8 1. The Rise of Chance in Modern Sciences 17 Chao ab ordo 17 Modern sciences 19 Summary 24 Part I 25 2. The Tribulations of Chance within Philosophical Thought 26 Determinism 27 Religious Determinism 29 Materialistic Determinism 30 Free agency 32 Implications of Determinism for chance 35 The possibility of chance within Determinism 36 Mobilism: toward an alternative to Determinism 40 3. The Philosophy of Clément Rosset 45 Setting the tone 45 Chance and reality 48 ‘Le tragique’, approbation and ‘joie de vivre’ 55 Duplicates 62 Freedom 67 Conclusion 68 Part II 69 4. The Dialogue of Chance and the Arts 70 A close bond 70 Chance: a new history of literature 71 Chance as a theme 75 Fruitfulness 76 Summary 80 5. André Breton 81 Chance in the works of André Breton 81 Chance in the thought of André Breton 90 Breton’s chance, Rosset’s chance – comparison and contrast 106 Conclusion 123 6. François Morellet 125 Short contextualisation 125 Chance in the works of François Morellet 128 Chance in the thought of François Morellet 135 Morellet’s chance, Rosset’s chance – comparison and contrast 159 Conclusion 168 7. John Cage 169 Chance in the works of John Cage 169 Chance in the thought of John Cage 179 Cage’s chance, Rosset’s chance – comparison and contrast 213 Conclusion 224 General conclusion 227 On the relationship between Artificialism and chance-as-art 227 The possibility of chance-as-art 228 The future of chance? 234 Bibliography 236 Appendix 1 (Interview with Clément Rosset) 243 Appendix 2 (Interview with François Morellet) 257 To Many, Chance And Art Are Antagonistic Terms. But A Number Of 20th Century Artists Have Turned This Notion On Its Head By Attempting To Create Artworks Based On Randomness. Among Those, Three In Particular Articulated A Well-argued And Thorough Theory Of The Radical Use Of Chance In Art: André Breton (writer), John Cage (composer) And François Morellet (visual Artist). The Implications Of Such A Move Away From Established Aesthetics Are Far-reaching, As Much In Conceptual As In Practical Terms, As This Book Hopes To Make Clear. Of Paramount Importance In This Coincidentia Oppositorum Is The Suggested Possibility Of A Correlation Between The Artistic Use Of Chance And A System Of Thought Itself Organised Around Chance. Indeed Placing Randomness At The Centre Of One’s Art May Have Deeper Philosophical Consequences Than Just On The Aesthetical Level--provided By Publisher. Denis Lejeune. Includes Bibliographical References. Includes Interviews In French. Studies the philosophy of Clément Rosset and the thought and works of André Breton, François Morellet, and John Cage