Rimbaudelaires is an applicational program created by ALAMO (Atelier de Littérature Assistée par la Mathématique et les Ordinateurs), which was presented for the first time in 1985 during the exposition “Les Immatérieux” at the Centre Georges Pompidou (a museum that showcases new techologies) in Paris. In addition, it was presented during the exposition “Arts et Maths” at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industries de La Villette. This applicational program uses a random function with prosodic, syntactic and semantic constraints.
This program takes the form of the well-known sonnet, “Le dormeur du val” by Arthur Rimbaud. Maintaining the same style and the same syntax, the applicational program replaces Rimbaud's traditional words that make up the poem with the lexicon of Charles Baudelaire. Upon arriving at the website, one clicks on the phrase “Un de ses sonnets,” and immediately sees a new creation. This creation is a unique poem that mixes elements from two famous 19th century poets. For example :
Le Rêveur du bonheur
C’est un lac de poitrine où passe une gamine
Embrassant librement aux anges des sommeils
D’argent ; où le plaisir de la caresse fine
Fuit : c’est un poudreux bonheur qui se rit de soleil
Un héros calme, langue étrange, gorge brune
Et la lèvre pendant dans le lourd étang froid
Croît ; il est étendu dans l’ange, sous la lune,
Calme, dans son jour plat où la verdure boit.
Les cieux dans les chagrins, il croît. Un voile rouge
Creuserait un requin sublime, il sort d’un bouge :
Montagne, berce-le vaguement : il a froid.
Les grelots ne font pas murmurer sa grimace ;
Il croît dans le désir, la nuit sur sa carcasse,
Sublime. Il a sept cieux sages au plaisir froid.
When reading this poem, generated by Rimbaudelaires with the abstraction/application technique (the abstraction of a syntactic mold and the application of this mold to a new lexicon), the reader can interpret the poem as he or she wishes, exploring the changes in a familiar poem. Here, one recognizes immediately the identical syntax and the infusion of vocabulary corresponding to the natural world from the original poem. In addition, one notes the erotic vocabulary of Baudelaire.
In keeping the rhythm, style, and syntax of Rimbaud, one discovers new elements each time he or she clicks on the mouse, changing the poem. This pastiche causes the reader to experience a slight sense of losing control when renewing the original poem because the reader is surprised each time that the poem changes. This mix of the Baudelarian lexicon with the body of the poem “Le dormeur du val” regenerates the literature of the 19th century.
(Source: Amy E. Laws)
