“The science of imaginary solutions”, Pataphysics was born from the pen of Alfred Jarry, in Gestes et opinions du docteur Faustroll, pataphysicien. It studies exceptions rather than rules, and takes the absurd very seriously.
In 1948 admirers of Jarry founded the Collège de ‘Pataphysique, whose members would include Boris Vian, Raymond Queneau, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst and Joan Miró.
Jacques Carelman, author of the Catalogue d’objets introuvables (1969), represents it at the gallery: a coffee pot for masochists, perfectly useless objects drawn with catalogue seriousness.
Pataphysical calendar
Today is
The Pataphysical Era began on 8 September 1873, the day Alfred Jarry was born. The year has 13 months of 28 days, from Absolu to Phalle: every month begins on a Sunday, so the 13th is always a Friday. The 29th, called hunyadi, is an imaginary day outside the week; it only exists in Gidouille (13 July) and, in leap years, in Gueules (23 February).
Bureau of Imaginary Solutions
Pataphysics is the science of imaginary solutions. Entrust your problem to the Bureau: it will answer with the utmost seriousness.