Yelizaveta Mnatsakanova (1922- )

Yesterday we had a pleasant surprise: two books through the post from the Russian poet, and true inheritor of the zaum tradition, Yelizaveta Mnatsakanova. The rewards of writing positive reviews in newspapers...

Here is an extract from Das Buch Sabeth (1988) which gives a clearish idea of her type of writing.

There's an interesting article about her here, which says coherent things slightly more coherently that I might be able to. Happy World Poetry Day!

Homage to Cyril Connolly

Roger de la Fresnaye (1885-1925)

Artillery (1911). More information here.

Amour de Pierrot (1905)

A present from my brother Ben.

Things I Would Buy If I Had The Money

Ralph Steadman, The Little Tin Bull Ring. A set of panels-Silk Screen Prints on Somerset Satin White Mould Made Paper. Weight: 300lbs (140lbs). Edition: 15. Artists Proofs: 1. Printers Proofs. 1. Size: 22.5"x 48". Price on Request.
More about the great, great Ralph Steadman here.

Louis Marcoussis (1878-1941)

His real names was Ludwik Kazimieirz Markous. More information here.

BardaGyn

We were in the pharmacy yesterday and I was struck once again by how little I know about branding, or marketing. I mean, if you were trying to sell a range of 'intimate hygiene products', no matter whether or not they actually were derived from thistles, would you use a picture of a large, spiny thistle to attract clients? "Oh no, I have an itch in an embarrassing place! I shall buy the gel that looks like it will soothe me most quickly! The one in the box with the big picture of the thistle? Why on earth not?" At least, my mind doesn't work like that. More information here.

Bring us in good ale

Bring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale,
Fore our blessed Lady sak, bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no browne bred, fore that is made of brane;
Nor bring us in no whit bred, fore therin is no game:
But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no befe, for ther is many bones;
But bring us in good ale, for that goth downe at ones,
And bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing fat;
But bring us in good ale, and give us inought of that,
And bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no mutton, for that is often lene;
Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clene:
But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no egges, for ther ar many shelles;
But bring us in good ale, and give us nothing elles,
And bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no butter, for therin ar many heres;
Nor bring us in no pigges flesh, for that will mak us bors:
But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no podinges, for therin is all gotes blod;
Nor bring us in no venison, for that is not for our good:
But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no capon's flesh, for that is ofte der;
Nor bring us in no dokes flesh for they slobber in the mer:
But bring us in good ale.

Anonymous (later 15c.)

Soviet Robots!

An illustration from Hello! I'm a Robot! (1989) by Stanislav Zigunenko. More pictures here. I can't find out much more about him, but this is enough to cheer us up for now.

Current Favourite Sentence

I'm a Protestant kettle!