Tristan Tzara and Mario de Andrade's Journeys from Ethnography to the Avant-Garde

This book explores the contributions of Tristan Tzara and Mário de Andrade to oral language traditions and modernism, comparing their approaches to language, ethnopoetics, and folk traditions. It highlights their parallel creative paths, their engagement with cultural imperialism, and their advocacy against hate. The book traverses physical and intellectual journeys, tracing the connections between Tzara and de Andrade's poetics in various locations, including Romania, Brazil, and Mozambique.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2021
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

This book presents a comprehensive comparative study of Tristan Tzara (1896-1963) and Mário de Andrade (1893-1945), delving into their profound contributions to oral language traditions and the body of criticism on modernism. It stands as the inaugural work to offer an in-depth analysis of Tzara's posthumously published prose work, Personnage dinsomnie, and the first in the English language to explore de Andrade's libretto for the opera Café, as well as other notable examples of their poetry and prose.

Tzara, a Romanian Jewish poet and writer who later became a naturalized French citizen, emerged as a pivotal figure in the European avant-garde from 1916, when he actively participated in the Dada Movement. Alongside him, Mario de Andrade, a Brazilian poet, writer, and musicologist of mixed origins, played a similarly central role in the 1922 São Paulo Modern Art Week, which defined Brazilian Modernism. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Tzara and de Andrade pursued parallel creative paths, resulting in distinct and individual styles.

This book explores the profound research and adaptation undertaken by Tzara and de Andrade in their exploration of various language manifestations, ethnopoetics, and folk traditions. It sheds light on how these influences shaped their artistic expressions and led them to create unique and individual styles. The historical and socio-political events of the late 1930s would subsequently prompt both authors to develop militant poetics, reflecting their commitment to social and political commentary.

Through chronologically compatible case studies, this book takes the reader on a journey that spans both physical and intellectual realms. It crisscrosses the geographical boundaries, leaving traces and overlapping as it delves into the heart of the twentieth-century avant-garde. It reveals how Tzara and de Andrade, alongside their playful language, actively critiqued cultural imperialism and advocated against hate. Their artistic endeavors not only reflected the times but also served as a means of resistance and empowerment.

This book offers a rich and insightful exploration of the lives and works of Tzara and de Andrade, shedding light on their contributions to the world of literature and art. It provides a valuable perspective on the complexities of cultural identity, language, and artistic expression, making it a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 151 x 213 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781527567757
Edition number: Unabridged ed