Kurt Schwitters: Ursonate, 1922-35

Figure 1-2. Kurt Schnitters, Ursonate, 1922-35.

Kurt Schnitter’s piece Ursonate (currently up at The Vancouver Art Gallery) reminds me of todays topic “Writing.” Inspired by Raoul Hausmann’s poems, Schnitter’s piece offers audiences an interesting take on nonsensical, vocal gibberish and language structures (see Fig 1-2). The ceiling has two speakers that continually play the 45 minute piece. Two manuscripts of the text are hung on the wall beneath the speakers. The work drew me in instantaneously, perhaps because of the speaking voice appears to start talking out of nowhere.