rhetoric, writing, and technology

Dada Arrangements

In "Dada Photomontage and net.art Sitemaps," George Dillon describes four kinds of arrangements for collages/montages (Grid, Schematic, Swirl, Cascade):

1. Grid/matrix: The fragments can be arranged in a rows-and-columns style table (table with cells). This is generally rather stable/static, but produces clearer juxtapositions.

2. Schematic: When the fragments are not very numerous, they are often arranged in an open space with certain sorts of relationship indicated among them. This is not a random arrangement. Objects should be placed in ways that create purposeful associations.

3. Swirl: More fragments with diagonal placement suggest movement and a center-periphery scheme; equivalence is suggested by parallels, opposition by intersecting or oblique angles. Often times the suggested movement can follow a time scheme or a suggested argumentative trail.

4. Cascade: Perhaps the epitomes of Dada photomontage are the large works with a huge number of fragments spilling forth in abundance to the point of disorder. In this arrangement, identity and opposition are much harder to determine.

In essence, what we have here is a series of approaches that move from Hot to Cool, from establishing clearer relations to more complex ones that require more audience participation to decipher. Scope Dillion's article for examples.

Posted by: bhawk at 09:10 | link | comments
thoughts, rhetoric, new media