Black and Red Vision
In a time when, slowly, surrealism is becoming more and more commercialized, it is good to see a new surrealist-oriented zine appear. Communicating Vessels is a much-welcomed reprieve to the incessant whining of those who see surrealism as an art form rather than a movement for liberation.
Published in standard zine format of photocopied pamphlet, Communicating Vessels combines its editor’s writings and poems with an interesting assortment of articles from the political libertarian left. It is in this combination that Communicating Vessels stands out. At their best, surrealists have attempted to bridge the gap between anarchists and Marxists, and pushed beyond a superficial unity. At worst, they have fallen into individualist anarchism, Stalinism (Aragon, Tzara), or crypto-fascism (Dali, Stephen Schwartz).
It is said that Germany’s first Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, applauded the split of the First International, but warned against any future union between the Red and Black. Having heard that warning as a young man gave me the goal to bring the dire unity about. Communicating Vessels reminds me that goal is possible. In a time when surrealists in the US are focusing on our anarchist sympathies, I can only applaud that the other side get some hearing. If we all pay attention to both sides we become stronger.
I have no negative criticisms of Communicating Vessels, only words of encouragement. I would encourage them to explore more the intersection between their politics and surrealist experimentation. How does surrealism apply to the lives of working people? Or better still, how do surrealists participate in working class struggles? But these are questions for all surrealists.
Morgan Miller
Published in standard zine format of photocopied pamphlet, Communicating Vessels combines its editor’s writings and poems with an interesting assortment of articles from the political libertarian left. It is in this combination that Communicating Vessels stands out. At their best, surrealists have attempted to bridge the gap between anarchists and Marxists, and pushed beyond a superficial unity. At worst, they have fallen into individualist anarchism, Stalinism (Aragon, Tzara), or crypto-fascism (Dali, Stephen Schwartz).
It is said that Germany’s first Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, applauded the split of the First International, but warned against any future union between the Red and Black. Having heard that warning as a young man gave me the goal to bring the dire unity about. Communicating Vessels reminds me that goal is possible. In a time when surrealists in the US are focusing on our anarchist sympathies, I can only applaud that the other side get some hearing. If we all pay attention to both sides we become stronger.
I have no negative criticisms of Communicating Vessels, only words of encouragement. I would encourage them to explore more the intersection between their politics and surrealist experimentation. How does surrealism apply to the lives of working people? Or better still, how do surrealists participate in working class struggles? But these are questions for all surrealists.
Morgan Miller
