The Language of Lithography in Matière et Mémoire: Jean Dubuffet's Critique of Henri Bergson
Open Access
Author:
Sivert, Laura Boyd
Graduate Program:
Art History
Degree:
Master of Arts
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
None
Committee Members:
Sarah K Rich, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Sarah K Rich, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Nancy Elizabeth Locke, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Keywords:
Henri Bergson Jean Paulhan Francis Ponge Jean Dubuffet lithography
Abstract:
Substantial research has been lacking on French artist Jean Dubuffet in the English language, especially on his printed works. In this thesis, I perform a close look at his earliest published printmaking effort, in collaboration with the French poet, Francis Ponge. Titled Matière et mémoire, it is often connected to the publication of the same title by French philosopher, Henri Bergson. I argue that it is not a positive association but a subtle mockery by Dubuffet and Ponge of Bergson’s theories. It is well known that both Ponge and Jean Paulhan (the project’s behind the scenes director), did not care for Bergson’s theories on language. Through the lithographs of Dubuffet, and the poetic text of Ponge, Bergson’s ideas are referenced, mocked, and put down, in favor of a different approach to art and language that glorifies the everyday, put forth by Ponge and Dubuffet. This lithographic series in particular, allow a closer look at the collaboration between artist and writer. Although most scholars agree the project references Bergson, little has been made about the circumstances surrounding the connection to Bergson, or the circumstances of the project itself. Even less has been said about the images. Although this thesis uses Bergson as a comparison to Dubuffet’s ideas, the work is mostly focused on the collaborative efforts between Ponge, Dubuffet, and Paulhan.
