Robert Filliou

1969

Mixed Media, 79 x 53 x 2 cm.
Materials: wood, playing cards, b/w photograph

Collection: Collection MUMOK, Vienna (Inv. no. B413/0).

With the phrase ‘art is what makes life more interesting than art’, Filliou continues the idea of the Dada movement, in the early twentieth century, that ‘art is more interesting than life’. The force that drives Filliou’s work and thought is Permanent Creation. He helps to establish various Centres of Permanent Creation, such as the Poïpoïdrome and the Smiling Cedilla. As an alternative to the notion of the avant-garde, he proposes the Eternal Network, also known as ‘La fête permanente’.

Excerpt of the conversation between Robert Filliou (RF) and Irmeline Lebeer (IL), Flayosc, France, August 1976.

IL: So, Création permanente. ‘Permanent Creation.’ We have different sub-sections. First: ‘Term used by Filliou to characterise his activity.’ Second: ‘Centre of Permanent Creation, see “Poïpoïdrome”, see “The Smiling Cedilla”.’

RF: ‘See above’, as we say in English, because we were just talking about the Cedilla. Maybe it will follow.

IL: Third: ‘Spirit presiding over The Smiling Cedilla’. Fourth: ‘See “Toolbox for Permanent Creation”.’