Kurt Schwitters
German, 1887-1948
Die Märchen vom Paradies
INV-2537
Kurt Schwitters
German, 1887-1948Hannover: Merz-Verlag, 1923
Die Märchen vom Paradies
Kurt Schwitters German, 1887-1948 →avant-garde20th Centuryletterpress
Date
Hannover: Merz-Verlag, 1923
Medium
Letterpress
Dimensions
14.6 × 31.1 cm (5 3/4 × 12 1/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Mary Reynolds Collection Fund, Ryerson & Burnham Libraries
In collaboration with fellow Dada artist Kate Steinitz, Kurt Schwitters drew upon common Dadaist motifs such as abstract illustration, collage, and unusual typography to create this collection of German children’s stories. The stories translate to The Rooster (Der Hahnepeter), The Bird of Paradise (Der Paradiesvogel) and Paradise in the Meadow (Das Paradies auf der Wiese).
The graphic design of each page exemplifies Dada aesthetics. The text size varies by mood, while the language, although keeping to the narrative, plays with grammar and homonyms to create subtle adult jokes within the family friendly storyline.
The creation of this book inspired Steinitz to establish her own avant-garde publishing house, focusing on similar projects that break the conventions of typography.
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