Page 59 - Studio International - February 1970

situations, the description of which she read The second act followed a fortnight later and dent of the Union of Independent Artists,
from the script of the happening, could influ- was directed solely by the authorities of the presented her with a red carnation.
ence us aesthetically. court. That is to say that the Trial Happening The Presentologists — enemies of pointless
On the other hand the form in which these continued. This act also ended in paradox : speaking—then went over to the opposite side
would-be proceedings took place was inimit- the Happening acquitted itself. At the appeal, of the square to watch the start of an anthro-
ably comical. my defense presented J. Chalupecký (art pological exercise by Rudolf Nemec, who
The following is a passage from the authentic critic) and two writers, B. Hrabal (Closley wanted to draw the shadows of the partici-
Beckett-like 'dialogue' between the judge observed Trains) and I. Vyskočil. The Prague pants on a gigantic sheet of paper displayed
J. Ortová and the main witness Anna S. : City Court on August 8 put off further all over the square. After waiting some time
J. Ortová. (to Anna S.) : 'You took part in the hearing of the appeal and in the meantime
first happening that the defendant organized asked the Ministry of Culture for judgement.
in the Hlávka's College. When you together Proceedings continued on October 26 and
with the others were crawling on your knees the judge read a judgement from the Ministry,
into the room, did it influence you aesthetic- in which happenings were admitted as a
ally ?' special sort of art form. At the end of the
Anna S.: 'Yes.' proceedings, all the people in the over-
J. Ortová : 'When the defendant was chasing crowded court stood up to hear the judge
you up and down the room and in so doing announce that the sentence was quashed and
treading on the other participants' feet, did it the case given to a National Committee as an
influence you aesthetically?' unannounced artistic production.
Anna S.: 'Yes.' At that moment happenings became legal in
J. Ortová: 'When the defendant finally Czechoslovakia.
caught you and was then carrying you on his
back like a sack of cement, did it influence THE PRESENTOLOGICAL SOCIETY
you aesthetically?' On March 3 1968 Rudolf Nemec and Eugen
Anna S.: 'Yes.' Brikcius brought into the world the Presento-
J. Ortová (to somebody in the audience) : logical Society. The Society was founded, in
`What is it you are writing there ? Are you accordance with the best traditions of the
from some newspaper? Go and take another Czech nation, in a pub (the Czech Social for the sun to come out, which he was obliged
seat over there !' Democratic Party, from which the Czech to do on account of the cloudy weather, he
(Murmur.) Communist Party later seceded, was also gave up and began to draw their imaginary
J. Ortová (again to Anna S.) : 'When you founded in a pub) —this time at `U Cala in shadows.
then switched the lights off and were throwing Prague, and its foundation was witnessed by After the meeting the members of the Society
rice at the others, were you influenced some hundred guests who gave it their unani- found themselves beleagured with questions
aesthetically ?' mous support which they confirmed by from foreign journalists.
Anna S.: 'Yes.' signing a declaration on a beer-mat.
J. Ortová: 'You are a children's nurse. What It was not until more than a month later that TIME CONFRONTATIONS
would you do if the children in your hospital the first public meeting of the Presentological 1. Ask everybody you meet what time it is. If
began to throw the food at each other ?' Society was held at an open place next to the they have no watch, tell them the time by
Anna S.: `I would explain to them that they National Theatre in Prague. The attention of yours. If they have a watch, compare their
had better eat the food than throw it. But it the participants was first attracted by the time to yours. If it does not correspond, tell
cannot happen to me. I am in the new-born address of Eugen Brikcius during which he them and ask them to adjust their watch by
babies department.' (Laughter.) cordially welcomed everybody and announced yours.
J. Ortová (to the audience) : 'Silence ! If this de- all relevant facts concerning the foundation. 2. Compare the time on a public clock to the
monstration is repeated, I will have the court- Afterwards he let the meeting vote as to time by your watch. If it does not correspond,
room cleared. This is not a happening here.' whether he was to continue or not. There climb up the clock and move its hands so
J. Ortová (to Anna S.) : 'When the defendant were only few votes against or abstentions. So that they indicate the same time as your
placed you in the box and the others were he continued. watch.
putting loaves of bread on top of you, did it First he explained the purpose of Presentology 3. Enter a telephone box and dial the speaking
influence you aesthetically?' and then he sharply criticized Perfectology clock. If it gives another time than that by
Anna S.: 'Yes.' and Futurology, while, nonetheless, admitting your watch, call a telephone manager, tell
J. Ortová: 'They put a hundred loaves upon some positive aspects of those theories. He him and ask him to adjust the equipment
you. Those loaves must have been heavy.' illustrated his thesis with several quotations according to your watch.
Anna S.: 'Yes.' from the Red Book of Mao Tse Tung. Every-
J. Ortová: 'And you were still influenced time he uttered the word `presentology' it was Enter a telephone box, dial the speaking
aesthetically ?' drowned in stormy applause developing into clock, open the door and every ten seconds
Anna S.: 'Yes.' cries of 'Long live Presentology'. announce the correct time to passers-by.
J. Ortová : 'Will you explain to me how it Then a political programme for the Society
could possibly influence you aesthetically ?' was proclaimed and the Society's female Make a rendezvous with your girl friend for a
Anna S.: 'The bread smelt fine.' (Shrieks of candidate for the next general election was restaurant in the area and ask her not to order
laughter in the audience.) introduced. The candidate was cheered by an anything there but just to wait for you. Say
J. Ortová (to the audience) : `Silence! I warn enthusiastic crowd and was literally forced to good-bye to her and walk away. Go for a
you! This is not a happening here. This is a mount the rostrum, thank the crowd for their stroll and after 15 minutes enter a telephone
hearing in court.' confidence and finally promise that if elected box, dial the number of the restaurant, ask
[An extract from 'The Open Letter to the she would defend their interest in the Parlia- the barman to call the girl and arrange
Judge Ortová' published in the Czech maga- ment to the best of her ability. At the end of another rendezvous with her.
zine MY 68 in September 1968.] her performance Milos Kurovský, the Presi- [Spring 1969] q