Sunday, May 10, 2009

Schlechter Duvall, Words of Fire


Schlechter-who?! An under-appreciated international Surrealist whose words are still like fire-starters some 40 years later: "Surrealism always was, still is, and always will be the first and last force of revolt on this Earth. It exists only for one reason: to realize freedom. And for freedom's sake, I want to warn every human being that surrealism is more than ever ALIVE!"

I had this statement from Duvall posted next to my studio easel for many years.

(Courtesy of 'Surrealist Subversions' (Sakolsky) Autonomedia 2002)

4 comments:

natashabuban said...

http://www.legacy.com/ottumwacourier/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=137271552

As his grand-daughter, I am sad, but not surprised that there is no mention of his art and connections to the surrealist movement in his obit. I am looking for more impressions of him from his peers in this community. Thank you for your mention of him in your blog.

A.A. said...

Reposting from a family member by A.T.: "Bellina Buban said...
.. my father a surrealist has passed away the 10th of Dec 2009 in Prigen Indonesia, Jan Schlechter Duvall."

A.A. said...

I am very sorry for your loss. He inspired me and MANY others in the Surrealist Movement (which continues today) greatly, I will be publishing a new post dedicated to him, thank you. -Andrew Torch

Greg Cloyd said...

John Schlechter was my art teacher in 7th grade. His ideas were quite foreign to the young man that I was. But he was my first inspiration to look at the world in a different way and one of my first inspirations to love art. I continue to look at the world in a different way as well as to love art. He was an unforgettable man. Greg Cloyd