Three Stories: Kurt Schwitters

by Kurt Schwitters, Jasia Reichardt (Editor), Ernst Schwitters

The German-born artist Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948) is best known for his "psychological collages" and his large-scale sculptures. He also experimented with sound art, typography, and architecture and wrote poetry and prose. This volume presents three short stories and a poem by Schwitters, all published here in English for the first time. Included with them is an appreciation of Schwitters by his friend, the surrealist pioneer E.L.T. Mesens, commissioned for ARTnews in 1958 and unavailable since then, and a previously unpublished response by the artist's son Ernst Schwitters. Jasia Reichardt's introduction places these remarkable documents in the context of Schwitters's life and career.

Genres: Poetry, Art, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2010

About the author

Kurt Schwitters was a painter, sculptor, designer and writer and worked in several genres and media, including Dada, Constructivism, Surrealism, poetry, sound, painting, sculpture, graphic design, typography, and what came to be known as installation art. Between 1923-32, Schwitters edited the magazine Merz.

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mega-great artist Kurt Schwitters is also a fantastic poet. But what we have here are three (very) short almost like fairy tales, one poem, and an appreciation by artist E.L.T. Messens, and a response from Schwitter's son Ernst.

The book is only 32 pages, and sort of the perfect read for a good soak in the bathtub, or a bus ride from Silvelake to Hollywood. Elegantly designed as well. Nothing fancy, but just a nice object to behold. The stories themselves are modest, but for sure worth the read, and the poem reminds me of his visual work. One got the impression Schwitters walked around London and just picked up its vibe for his poem. Love it.

[Aslı Can]

Yuvarlak ve yassı ressam'ı çok seviyorum.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, but sweet.

[Mark Holsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were enjoyable enough, the poem London Symphony is great. More details about Schwitters life, especially in war time England, in the introduction and E.T.L Mesens Tribute, Schwitter's son's reply etc.

[AeRi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I've read all the stories in this expensive (17$!) little collection, but the afterward and letter from Schwitters himself makes it worthwile