#Stache definition series#

The title Arpaden is a neologism meaning 'Arp things.' Contrary to most issues of Merz, number five included no text but rather a series of what Arp called 'object pictures' expressing a personal lanugage of forms and symbols. A play on the German word for commerce, 'Merz' was the term Schwitters used to describe his wide range of artistic and literary activities. The portfolio 7 Arpaden was published as issue number five of the avant-garde journal Merz, a project of Arp's friend Kurt Schwitters. In this way, he created biomorphic shapes that were often derived from nature or humble everyday objects that slyly and humorously suggest figurative presences. During this period, Arp evolved the practice of combining abstract shapes and relying on techniques of chance, on one occasion throwing debris onto the beach and recording its forms. A year later, he was instrumental in establishing Dada with a group of like-minded artists and writers there who devoted themselves to challenging existing notions of art and encouraged experimentation with spontaneous and seemingly irrational methods of artistic creation.

In 1915 Arp moved from Paris to Zurich, seeking refuge from the disturbing events of World War I. Given his literary activities, it is not surprising that many of his prints were illustrations for books and journals, with a significant group made for Dada publications between 19. In addition to sculpture, he produced poetry, painting and more than four hundred prints during his lifetime. A pioneer of abstract art, Jean (born Hans) Arp was a founder of the Dada movement and was also active in Surrealist and Constructivist circles.

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