Acéphale  

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 +[[Image:Speculum Sophicum Rhodostauroticum.jpg|thumb|right|200px|This page '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is part of the [[mysticism]] series.
 +<br><small>Illustration to the ''[[Speculum Sophicum Rhodostauroticum]]'' ([[1618]]) by [[Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens]]</small>]]
 +[[Image:Blemmyes (legendary creatures).jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Blemmyes (legendary creatures)|Blemmyes]] from Hartmann Schedel's ''Nuremberg Chronicle'' (1493)]]
{{Template}} {{Template}}
 +'''Acéphale''' (from the Latin ''a-cephalus'', [[headless]] or without a chief) designs both a public review created by [[Georges Bataille]] (which counted five issues, from [[1936]] to [[1939]]) and a [[secret]] and [[esoteric]] society formed by Bataille and some other members whom had sworn to keep silence. Bataille himself maintained close links with the [[Surrealism]] movement in [[Paris]].
-'''Acéphale''' (from the Latin ''a-cephalus'', headless or without a chief) designs both a public review created by [[Georges Bataille]] (which counted five issues, from 1936 to 1939) and a [[secret society|secret]] and esoteric society formed by Bataille and some other members whom had sworn to keep silence. Bataille himself maintained close links with the [[Surrealism]] movement in [[Paris]].+==''Acéphale'', the review==
 +Dated 24 June 1936, the first issue was only eight pages. The cover was illustrated by [[André Masson]] with a drawing openly inspired by the famous one by [[Leonardo da Vinci]] of ''[[Vitruvian Man]]'', who embodies classical reason. Masson's figure, however, is [[decapitated]], his [[groin]] covered by a [[skull]], and holds in his right hand a [[burning heart]], while in his left he wields a [[dagger]]. Under the title ''Acéphale'' are printed the words ''Religion. Sociologie. Philosophie'' followed on the next line by the expression ''the sacred conjuration'' (''la conjuration sacrée'').
-== ''Acéphale'', the review ==+The first article, signed by Bataille, is titled "The Sacred Conjuration" and claims that "Secretly or not... it is necessary to become different or else cease to be." Further on, Bataille wrote: "Human life is exasperated by having served as the head and reason of the universe. Insofar as it becomes this head and this reason, insofar as it becomes necessary to the universe, it accepts serfdom."
-Dated 24 June, 1936, the first issue of ''Acéphale'' was composed of only eight pages. The cover was illustrated by a drawing from [[André Masson]], which takes 80% of the page. This drawing openly inspires itself from the famous drawing by [[Leonardo da Vinci]], the ''[[Vitruvian Man]]'', but the latter is decapitated and his sex covered by a skull. Under the title ''Acéphale'', one may read the mentions ''Religion. Sociologie. Philosophie'' followed on the next line by the expression ''the sacred conjuration'' (''la conjuration sacrée''). +This reference to [[Friedrich Nietzsche]]'s philosophy should be put in historical context: while most of Europe had been conquered by [[fascism]], Nietzsche had been appropriated by [[Nazism]] as one of its seminal thinkers &mdash; despite Nietzsche's explicit attacks on [[anti-semitism]], [[nationalism]] and [[racism]]. Thus, unsurprisingly, the German philosopher was unpopular at the time in France.
-== Bataille's ambitions ==+The second issue of the review begins with a large article titled "[[Nietzsche and Fascists]]", in which Bataille violently attacks [[Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche]], Nietzsche's sister, who had married the notorious antisemite [[Bernhard Förster]] &mdash; the wedding had led to a final rupture between Nietzsche and his sister.
-The first article, signed by Bataille, is titled "The Sacred Conjuration" and calls "secretly or not... to become altogether other, or cease to be" <ref> ''« Il est temps d’abandonner le monde des civilisés et sa lumière. Il est trop tard pour tenir à être raisonnable et instruit — ce qui a mené à une vie sans attrait. Secrètement ou non, il est nécessaire de devenir tout autres ou de cesser d’être. »'' {{fr icon}} </ref> Further on, Bataille wrote: "Human life is exceeded of serving as head and reason of universe. Insofar as it becomes this head and this reason, insofar as it becomes necessary to the universe, it accepts serfdom." <ref>''« La vie humaine est excédée de servir de tête et de raison à l’univers. Dans la mesure où elle devient cette tête et cette raison, dans la mesure où elle devient nécessaire à l’univers, elle accepte un servage. »'' {{fr icon}} </ref> +See e.g. Nietzsche, "[[Nice, end of December 1887: Draft of letter to Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche]].
-This reference to [[Friedrich Nietzsche|Nietzsche]]'s philosophy must be put in context of the times: whilst most of Europe has been conquered by [[Fascism|fascism]], Nietzsche was reinvindicated by [[Nazism]] as one of its upmost thinkers &mdash; despite the various explicit attacks of Nietzsche against [[anti-semitism]], [[nationalism]] and [[racism]]. Thus, unsurprisingly the German philosopher wasn't really popular at the time in France. +Bataille thereby called Elisabeth ''Elisabeth Judas-Förster'', recalling Nietzsche's declaration: "To never frequent anyone who is involved in this bare-faced fraud concerning races."
-The second issue of the review begins with a large article titled ''Nietzsche and fascists'', where Bataille starts by violently attacking [[Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche|Elisabeth Förster]], Nietzsche's sister who had married in 1885 a notorious antisemitic, [[Bernhard Förster]] &mdash; the wedding had lead to a final rupture between Nietzsche and his sister <ref>See e.g. Nietzsche, ''Nice, end of December 1887: Draft of letter to Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche'':+The same issue contains an unedited text of Nietzsche on [[Heraclitus]] from ''[[The Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks]]'', as well as an article from [[Jean Wahl]] titled "Nietzsche and the Death of God," which is a commentary on a text from [[Karl Jaspers]] on Nietzsche.
-::''In the meantime I've seen proof, black on white, that Herr Dr. Förster has not yet severed his connection with the anti-Semitic movement. [...] Since then I've had difficulty coming up with any of the tenderness and protectiveness I've so long felt toward you. The separation between us is thereby decided in really the most absurd way. Have you grasped nothing of the reason why I am in the world? [...] Now it has gone so far that I have to defend myself hand and foot against people who confuse me with these '''anti-Semitic canaille'''; after my own sister, my former sister, and after Widemann more recently have given the impetus to this most dire of all confusions. After I read the name Zarathustra in the anti-Semitic Correspondence my forbearance came to an end. I am now in a position of emergency defense against your spouse's Party. These accursed anti-Semite deformities shall not sully my ideal!!'' [http://www.geocities.com/thenietzschechannel/nlett1887.htm Nice, end of December 1887: Draft of letter to Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche]</ref>. Bataille hereby called Elisabeth ''Elisabeth Judas-Förster'', recalling Nietzsche's declaration: "To never frequent anyone whom is involved in this bare-faced fraud concerning races." +The other issues also centered on Nietzsche. The last one, prepared but ultimately not published, was titled "Nietzsche's madness" (''La folie de Nietzsche'').
-The same issue contains an inedited traduction of [[Heraclitus]] from Nietzsche, an article from [[Jean Wahl]] titled ''Nietzsche and the Death of God'', which is a commentary of a text from [[Karl Jaspers]] on Nietzsche.+Apart from Bataille, who signed most of the texts, [[Roger Caillois]] (issue 3 and 4), [[Pierre Klossowski]] (issue 1, 2, 3 and 4), [[André Masson]], [[Jules Monnerot]] (issue 3 and 4), [[Jean Rollin]] and [[Jean Wahl]] (in the second issue) also participated in the review.
- +
-The other issues are also centered on Nietzsche. The last one, prepared but ultimately not published, was titled ''Nietzsche's madness'' (''La folie de Nietzsche'').+
- +
-== Collaborators of the review ==+
- +
-Apart from Bataille who signs most of the texts, [[Roger Caillois]] (issue 3 and 4), [[Pierre Klossowski]] (issue 1, 2, 3 and 4), [[André Masson]], [[Jules Monnerot]] (issue 3 and 4), [[Jean Rollin]] and [[Jean Wahl]] (in the second issue) also participated in the review. +
== The Secret Society == == The Secret Society ==
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== The ''Encyclopaedia Da Costa'' == == The ''Encyclopaedia Da Costa'' ==
- +:''[[Encyclopaedia Da Costa]]''
They also published ''Encyclopaedia Da Costa'' ''(Da Costa Encyclopédique)'' meant to coincide with the [[1947]] [[International Surrealist Exhibition]] in Paris, but due to printing delays, the encyclopedia was not distributed until months after the exhibition ended. Ironically modelled after the format of a conventional encyclopedia, it lambasted social and individual conventions with an unprecedented fervor, as well as perpetrating more recondite clusters of ideas. They also published ''Encyclopaedia Da Costa'' ''(Da Costa Encyclopédique)'' meant to coincide with the [[1947]] [[International Surrealist Exhibition]] in Paris, but due to printing delays, the encyclopedia was not distributed until months after the exhibition ended. Ironically modelled after the format of a conventional encyclopedia, it lambasted social and individual conventions with an unprecedented fervor, as well as perpetrating more recondite clusters of ideas.
Line 38: Line 37:
==See also== ==See also==
 +
 +:''[[Surrealist magazine]]''
* ''[[Documents (journal)|Documents]]'', a Surrealist journal edited by [[Georges Bataille]] from [[1929]] through [[1930]] * ''[[Documents (journal)|Documents]]'', a Surrealist journal edited by [[Georges Bataille]] from [[1929]] through [[1930]]
* ''[[La Révolution surréaliste]]'' - the surrealist publication between [[1924]] and [[1929]] in Paris * ''[[La Révolution surréaliste]]'' - the surrealist publication between [[1924]] and [[1929]] in Paris
Line 44: Line 45:
* ''[[VVV (journal)|VVV]]'' - a [[New York]] journal published by emigré European surrealists from [[1942]] through [[1944]] * ''[[VVV (journal)|VVV]]'' - a [[New York]] journal published by emigré European surrealists from [[1942]] through [[1944]]
-== Notes ==+ 
-<references/>+
== Bibliography == == Bibliography ==
Line 61: Line 61:
* Stephan Moebius, ''Die Zauberlehrlinge. Soziologiegeschichte des Collège de Sociologie'', Konstanz 2006. * Stephan Moebius, ''Die Zauberlehrlinge. Soziologiegeschichte des Collège de Sociologie'', Konstanz 2006.
-==External link==+==References==
-* [http://www.atlaspress.co.uk/index.cgi?action=view_arkhive&number=3 ''Da Costa Encyclopédique'']+* ''[[Encyclopædia Acephalica]]''
-* [http://www.psikeba.com.ar/articulos/AVR_Bataille_Klossowski.htm "Acéphale"; Georges Bataille y Pierre Klossowski, ferozmente religiosos] by Adolfo Vasquez Rocca PhD+{{GFDL}}

Revision as of 07:58, 14 June 2019

This page Acéphale is part of the mysticism series. Illustration to the Speculum Sophicum Rhodostauroticum (1618) by Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens
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This page Acéphale is part of the mysticism series.
Illustration to the Speculum Sophicum Rhodostauroticum (1618) by Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens
Blemmyes from Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)
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Blemmyes from Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)

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Acéphale (from the Latin a-cephalus, headless or without a chief) designs both a public review created by Georges Bataille (which counted five issues, from 1936 to 1939) and a secret and esoteric society formed by Bataille and some other members whom had sworn to keep silence. Bataille himself maintained close links with the Surrealism movement in Paris.

Contents

Acéphale, the review

Dated 24 June 1936, the first issue was only eight pages. The cover was illustrated by André Masson with a drawing openly inspired by the famous one by Leonardo da Vinci of Vitruvian Man, who embodies classical reason. Masson's figure, however, is decapitated, his groin covered by a skull, and holds in his right hand a burning heart, while in his left he wields a dagger. Under the title Acéphale are printed the words Religion. Sociologie. Philosophie followed on the next line by the expression the sacred conjuration (la conjuration sacrée).

The first article, signed by Bataille, is titled "The Sacred Conjuration" and claims that "Secretly or not... it is necessary to become different or else cease to be." Further on, Bataille wrote: "Human life is exasperated by having served as the head and reason of the universe. Insofar as it becomes this head and this reason, insofar as it becomes necessary to the universe, it accepts serfdom."

This reference to Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy should be put in historical context: while most of Europe had been conquered by fascism, Nietzsche had been appropriated by Nazism as one of its seminal thinkers — despite Nietzsche's explicit attacks on anti-semitism, nationalism and racism. Thus, unsurprisingly, the German philosopher was unpopular at the time in France.

The second issue of the review begins with a large article titled "Nietzsche and Fascists", in which Bataille violently attacks Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, Nietzsche's sister, who had married the notorious antisemite Bernhard Förster — the wedding had led to a final rupture between Nietzsche and his sister.

See e.g. Nietzsche, "Nice, end of December 1887: Draft of letter to Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche.

Bataille thereby called Elisabeth Elisabeth Judas-Förster, recalling Nietzsche's declaration: "To never frequent anyone who is involved in this bare-faced fraud concerning races."

The same issue contains an unedited text of Nietzsche on Heraclitus from The Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks, as well as an article from Jean Wahl titled "Nietzsche and the Death of God," which is a commentary on a text from Karl Jaspers on Nietzsche.

The other issues also centered on Nietzsche. The last one, prepared but ultimately not published, was titled "Nietzsche's madness" (La folie de Nietzsche).

Apart from Bataille, who signed most of the texts, Roger Caillois (issue 3 and 4), Pierre Klossowski (issue 1, 2, 3 and 4), André Masson, Jules Monnerot (issue 3 and 4), Jean Rollin and Jean Wahl (in the second issue) also participated in the review.

The Secret Society

Because of its very nature, it is difficult to describe the society's acts. Bataille refered several times to Marcel Mauss whom had studied secret societies in Africa, describing them as a "total social phenomenon". On this model, he organized several nocturne meetings in the woods, near an oak which had been struck by lightning. Members of the Acéphale society were required to adopt several rituals, such as refusing to shake hand with anti-semitics or celebrating the decapitation of Louis XVI, event which prefigured the "chiefless crowd" targed by "acéphalité". Members of the society are also invited to meditation, on texts of Nietzsche, Freud, Sade and Mauss read during the assemblies.

The Encyclopaedia Da Costa

Encyclopaedia Da Costa

They also published Encyclopaedia Da Costa (Da Costa Encyclopédique) meant to coincide with the 1947 International Surrealist Exhibition in Paris, but due to printing delays, the encyclopedia was not distributed until months after the exhibition ended. Ironically modelled after the format of a conventional encyclopedia, it lambasted social and individual conventions with an unprecedented fervor, as well as perpetrating more recondite clusters of ideas.

Perhaps its most insolent entry was the "License to Live", a faux governmental form requesting vital statistics from the bearer in order to enforce its legal fiat; the penalty for failing to keep the document "in order" was death. It is most likely another invention of the mind of Marcel Duchamp, typographer for the Encyclopaedia Da Costa, and a gesture that, in keeping with the best of Surrealism, had no obvious relationship to the art object as it is commonly known. A precursor to "License to Live" appears in an earlier note in Duchamp's Green Box, published in 1934 but written 20 years earlier, where he imagines a society in which people must pay for the air they breathe.

By the end of the century the encyclopedia fell into obscurity, partly because those who created it actively discouraged interested parties from procuring copies.

See also

Surrealist magazine


Bibliography

Texts from Georges Bataille

  • L’apprenti Sorcier : Ce que j’ai à dire, éd. de la Différence, Paris, 1937
  • Acéphale, réédition des numéros publiés et du numéro final non publié, éd. Jean-Michel Place, Paris, 1995
  • L’Apprenti Sorcier (textes, lettres et documents (1932-1939) rassemblés, présentés et annotés par Marina Galletti), Éditions de la Différence, Paris, 1999

Other references

References




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