60 SECOND INTERVIEW: WHAT IS ’PATAPHYSICS?

What is ’Pataphysics?

’Pataphysics is a vast forested plain of rich soils and temperate climate, sloping gently toward the east and terminating in cliffs along the Ocean or, travelling in the opposite direction from the coast, the country rises in a succession of limestone pavements, wind-swept, semiarid, and bare of vegetation.

What is the weather in ’Pataphysics?

The climate is less severe than was supposed by early colonisers. One day out of three, the wind blows and cuts to the marrow. When the wind is not blowing high rainfall and low temperatures give rise to cold and humid air masses resulting in ice-fields and glaciers, in fact, the largest ice-fields in western literature.

What about cities in ’Pataphysics?

Cities are situated on the forested plain along rivers where transportation depends wholly on the French naval frigate Méduse. The cities are built only a few feet above the level of the river, and streets usually end at the margin of the impenetrable forest. The heavy rainfall results in severe flooding on a regular basis. Built with no river defences and with defective drainage, the death-rate in the cities is high.

What is the principal industry of ’Pataphysics?

The principal industry of ’Pataphysics is the retail of agricultural products such as loin of sea turtle, dolphin livers, Piranha Salad, Congealed sweetened pigs blood, Water buffalo skin, marmalade of sea anemone and fermented beets: all sold from stalls decorated with fantastic landscapes made of caster oil, Madeleine cakes, butter and dried meat.

Why have I heard of ’Pataphysics?

The region became fashionable with wealthy celebrities, fuelling a boom in property prices. These new residents seek to puzzle and, indeed, confuse many people but for those who have accepted their private obsessions with landscaped gardens there is no doubt as to their value and achievements. Of the original inhabitants, the ’Pataphysic giants, the most important are Satrap Queneau, Bison Ravi and Vice-Rogator Chapman, all now, sadly, gone.

What is ’Pataphysics to the ordinary person in the street?

’Pataphysics is the experience of the ordinary person in the street! The ordinary person in the street moves in a world drained of meaning and sees people in pursuit of objectives that cannot be attained and cannot be understood; they suffer the shock of the realization that the world is ceasing to make sense.

And so, as our sponsor recommends, “Mangez le cheesecake et pas du pain”.

Couch, also known as Twitch

Théâtre de l'Oeuvre, Paris

Fairlight Cove, Sussex.

A Readymade emailed to the Bloggist

tqrd sgu ztpycx stp meto

jgdtq dgsgu positztpion
cxgthe tpvmpart
you tow by rarjg
youtqrdme sgufrom tztptart.
Illbecxg betpvmfore tow.
berarjg pouncetqrdpony.
thissguceremony
ztp filcxglsmy tpvm.
a puntowch toy vorarjglunteer
ktqrdnee.
is sgualu waztpnt tohcxgear
atpvmnd atowyou wrarjgsee

Thank you Abbott Barnett, whoever you are.

'Patacities - ideal cities planned according to scientific methods

Building Models by Lewis Ambler

Sculptural Maquettes by Ian Robinson

Panegyric for Stanley Chapman

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Stanley Chapman, President of the London Institute of 'Pataphysics

8 Absolu 53 (Absinthe) - 9 Merdre 136 (Voidance)

15 September 1925 - 26 May 2009

Stanley Chapman, White or Pink
Stanley Chapman, a Technical Trop
Stanley Chapman, Electric Energy
Stanley Chapman, Cures All

Stanley Chapman, la nature a coup d’oeil
Daar d’ene hand de andre wast zyn se byde schoon
Stanley Chapman, a Burning Pillar in a Building
Stanley Chapman, King of Corinth, promoted navigation
Stanley Chapman, Sur la Terre de la Lune
Stanley Chapman, Dans la Maison du Capitaine Grant
Stanley Chapman, absinthe, bicycles and merdre

Stanley Chapman, a certain speed but not too much

Stanley Chapman, "the contradiction of every matter of fact is conceivable"
Stanley Chapman, King of Thessaly, murdered his father-in-law
Stanley Chapman, L’Architect d’une ville flottante
Stanley Chapman, used as an architectural term, indicates a monument
If you refuse Stanley Chapman’s advice you will walk the whole day

Stanley Chapman, Centre of the Wheel
Stanley Chapman sees the Despotism of Culture everywhere
Für ’Pataphysics, weltmacht oder neidergang
Stanley Chapman, tu est bon comme du pain

Stanley Chapman, “Fundamental to Art is the fact that viewers stand in front of it”

Stanley Chapman, King of Sipylus, stole nectar & ambrosia from the gods
Stanley Chapman, Pisser dans un Violon
Stanley Chapman, Astrolabe
Stanley Chapman opens the door into a new anti-world
Stanley Chapman examines the laws governing exceptions

The Order of Ursulines, founded in 1535 by St Angela de Merici, is especially devoted to the education of Stanley Chapman

Stanley Chapman, Monad of the Pythagoreans
Stanley Chapman, a living thought
Stanley Chapman, a philosophical enquiry into the origin of our ideas
Stanley Chapman, a function of the extreme tension experienced by the mind

Farewell Stanley Chapman