This volume is a critical edition, compiled by Janusz Degler and Lech Sokół, of two of Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz's (1885-1939) most important books on art theory and aesthetics: New Forms in Painting and the Resulting Misunderstandings (Warsaw, 1919), and Aesthetic Sketches (Krakow, 1922). In these works, Witkacy - exceptional dramatist, novelist, philosopher, art theoretician, painter, and illustrator - set out his system of philosophical and aesthetic views and formulated the basic categories of his theory of Pure Form. He delved deep into the concepts of beauty, form, composition, color, and deformation of represented reality. Many of these concepts later found reflection in Witkiewicz's theory of theatre, in principles that the author himself referred to as "analogous to painting" in their essence.
Through these two literary works the author also engaged in a dialogue with critics, seeking to explain away the numerous misunderstandings that seemed to develop in connection with the appearance of new directions in contemporary art.
In New Forms in Painting... Witkacy also presented his views in the realm of the philosophy of history, delineating a catastrophic vision for the development of society, which, although it is destined to secure happiness for humanity, will in the process eradicate religion, philosophy, and art. In the supremely organized and mechanized society he envisions, the need to experience metaphysical feelings will disappear and complete and utter uniformity will reign. Witkacy proceeded to develop on these philosophical concepts in his later dramas (including Szewcy / The Shoemakers, Oni / Them, Mątwa / The Cuttlefish, Wariat i zakonnica / The Madman and the Nun) and novels (Pożegnanie jesieni / Farewell to Autumn, Nienasycenie / Insatiability).
Source: Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy
- Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz
New Forms in Painting and the Resulting Misunderstandings; Aesthetic Sketches / Nowe formy w malarstwie i wynikające stad nieporozumienia. Szkice estetyczne
Volume 8 of the "Collected Works" series
Publisher: Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy, Warsaw 2002
hardcover, 416 pages, 130 x 203
ISBN 83-06-02173-8