EMBALLAGES: THE MANIFIESTO

EMBALLAGE
Some of the features
attached to it
should be classified
first.
It would be rash, however,
To attempt generalizations
or formulas.
It is hardly possible, anyway.
Emballages, emballages.
For the discussed phenomenon is
ambiguous,
and even worse,
ambiguously slippery.
In fact, it subsists,
beyond reality
that we must say at the outset.
We could thus see it as
EMBALLAGES, EMBALLAGES, EMBALLAGES.
metaphysically pregnant.
But on the other hand
its function is so
plain,
utilitarian,
and crude,
it’s so completely
dependent upon
its contents that without them
it cannot exist
EMBALLAGES. EMBALLAGES.
the useless,
unnecessary,
pathetic wreck
of the glamour
and importance,
branded
and suspected to
have no meaning,
in no time at all it looses its splendour
ant its appeal.
Emballages. Emballages.
But this is unfair,
yes , we must say that.
At one time
it is wranked so very high;
what depends on
its bearing,
appearance,
appeal,
expression,
precision,
contents,
“impermeability”,
is, generally speaking,
some success or another.
Soon after,
it is rejected
mercilessly,
condemned
to ridicule,
oblivion
and failure.
Such disproportions
contribute to the chaos
of misunderstandings
and contradictions
and they stand in the way
of serious efforts
aiming at sound and rational
classifications.
EMBALLAGES.
The discussed phenomenon
is the balance
in between
EMBALLAGES. EMBALLAGES.
eternity
and rubbish.
We are witnessing
remarkable clownery,
playing with
sublime rapture
and pathetic downfall,
EMBALLAGES. EMBALLAGES. EMBALLAGES.
What extensive opportunities.
An emballage
an activity
attached toit,
just any,
has all the charms
and secrets
of complete disinterestedness,
even more so, if we consider
that it takes place
in full awareness
of the fatal end.
Let us look closely
at the few phases of this ritual;
putting together,
sophisticated
and requiring mastery,
with an always surprising
final effect
in partly magic
partly a childish play;
tying up,
with the knowledge of knots
almost verges on
the sacral traditions;
gluing up,
always solemn
and attentive;
the increase of activities,
the superimposing
of unexpected effects,
and besides,
the human need and passion
to hoard,
keep away,
hide,
pass on to another
are an almost
independent process.
What a chance!
We must not miss
its emotional
potentialities.
It involves many of them:
a promise,
a hope,
presentiment,
temptation,
the taste of the unknown
and of mystery.
EMBALLAGES.
Supplied with
symbols of carefulness,
urging haste,
hierarchy,
importance of various degrees,
figures of its time,
of its attention,
EMBALLAGES.
with addresses for its destination,
symbols of power
with spellbinding force,
with promises
of effectiveness,
durability,
perfection.
It appears in different circumstances,
common
and exceptional,
small
and ridiculous,
great
and ultimate.
EMBALLAGES.
When
you want to transmit
something very important
and significant
and your very own,
EMBALLAGE.
When
you want to save,
protect something
to ensure its survival.
To fix it,
to cheat time.
EMBALLAGES.
When
you want to hide something
deep away,
EMBALLAGES.
isolate,
secure against
intervention
ignorance
and rudeness.
EMBALLAGES.
EMBALLAGES.
EMBALLAGES.
(February 1964)