Description:
In early twentieth century Spain, the dominant literary currents of the day were divided between a push for a spartan, utilitarian prose and a retreat to the well-worn stylings of "old masters". But there was an intrepid group of writers, artists, and thinkers concerned with a new linguistic vitality, incorporating the latest scientific knowledge while rising above mere functionalism. Taking his cues from Ramón Gómez de la Serna, Charlie Chaplin, and his mentor, José Ortega y Gasset, Benjamín Jarnés distilled these ideas into a series of short prose pieces dubbed Exercises (Ejercicios, 1927), in which he advocated for a language rife with"metaphorical fireworks", a prose that eschews what we might call today "craft" for a fecundity of descriptive flourishes, logical leaps (that don't always connect), and a brash disregard for all schools and techniques.Benjamín Jarnés (1888–1949) was among the foremost avant-garde writers of early twentieth century Spain. As a young man, he… Read More
