Let's Play Surrealist Games
The artists who made up the Surrealist movement were a social bunch who met often in salon for food, drink, conversation and game playing. Most of the games they played were bastardized Victorian parlor games. Some of the games were of their own invention. I am intrigued by a number of the games described in the excellent reference, “A Book of Surrealist Games,” compiled by Alastair Brotchie, who provides not only descriptions of the games but also their origins, and some of the results of he games played.
The first game I want to share is called “Directions for Use.” It’s easy to play. Start collecting directions for use off of all the household products, toiletries, DIY products and equipment you have around you. You’ll be surprised at how many products have directions and how my husband ignores them! Ha! Anyway, start writing down particularly good directions for use, and when you have some stashed, start applying the directions to things that don’t NEED directions.
The excerpt that follows is from the above book and was written by Jean-Claude Silbermann. P.S. If you love word games, BUY THIS BOOK!
The Heart:
To retain its perfect freshness, keep The Heart dry. Unlike similar products, The Heart will expand while drying out. All actions performed with The Heart are therefore definitive. Preparation of Sentiments: To one measure of delirium, add 2 ½ measures of Heart. Stir until a sentimental solution forms. Allow standing one night. While you sleep, the sentiment will take on the desired consistency (creamy, oily or malleable). Do not prepare more Heart than you can use immediately, since even in a short space of time it tends to cling
Is that fun, or what? I LOVE this game.
Some suggestions:
Search out complicated or archaic sounding directions, such as those used to work old spells, old prescriptions or tinctures. How about dress pattern construction, woodworking directions, photographic or art processes? What about machines and tools?
Then pair these actions up with unusual subjects. It’s a good idea to try archetypes, such as birth, death, marriage, childhood, good, evil, love, God, heaven, dream, star, Pisces, Saturn, house; the list goes on and on.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
The artists who made up the Surrealist movement were a social bunch who met often in salon for food, drink, conversation and game playing. Most of the games they played were bastardized Victorian parlor games. Some of the games were of their own invention. I am intrigued by a number of the games described in the excellent reference, “A Book of Surrealist Games,” compiled by Alastair Brotchie, who provides not only descriptions of the games but also their origins, and some of the results of he games played.
The first game I want to share is called “Directions for Use.” It’s easy to play. Start collecting directions for use off of all the household products, toiletries, DIY products and equipment you have around you. You’ll be surprised at how many products have directions and how my husband ignores them! Ha! Anyway, start writing down particularly good directions for use, and when you have some stashed, start applying the directions to things that don’t NEED directions.
The excerpt that follows is from the above book and was written by Jean-Claude Silbermann. P.S. If you love word games, BUY THIS BOOK!
The Heart:
To retain its perfect freshness, keep The Heart dry. Unlike similar products, The Heart will expand while drying out. All actions performed with The Heart are therefore definitive. Preparation of Sentiments: To one measure of delirium, add 2 ½ measures of Heart. Stir until a sentimental solution forms. Allow standing one night. While you sleep, the sentiment will take on the desired consistency (creamy, oily or malleable). Do not prepare more Heart than you can use immediately, since even in a short space of time it tends to cling
Is that fun, or what? I LOVE this game.
Some suggestions:
Search out complicated or archaic sounding directions, such as those used to work old spells, old prescriptions or tinctures. How about dress pattern construction, woodworking directions, photographic or art processes? What about machines and tools?
Then pair these actions up with unusual subjects. It’s a good idea to try archetypes, such as birth, death, marriage, childhood, good, evil, love, God, heaven, dream, star, Pisces, Saturn, house; the list goes on and on.
Lather, rinse, repeat.