Soupault, Philippe

(1897-1990)

   writer

   Born in Chaville, Philippe Soupault was active in the dadaist movement (1918-20) before becoming involved in surrealism alongside andré breton and louis aragon. He participated in its most controversial aspects as well as in the founding of the revue Littérature. The publication of the collection Champs magnétiques (in collaboration with Breton, 1920) was followed by his works done in "automatic writing," marking an important date in the history of contemporary poetry. Soupault left Paris and his friends for long trips around the world. Becoming a journalist and novelist (Le Bon Apôtre, 1923; Les Frères Durandeau, 1924; Le Nègre, 1927; Les Dernières Nuits de Paris, 1928; Le Grand Homme, 1929), he sought to bear witness to his age and to his new experiences (Voyages en URSS, 1930) and gave a modernist interpretation also to music (jazz) and to film (Charlot, 1930). Altogether, Soupault's curiosity brought him back to poetry (essay on Lautréamont, 1927; William Blake, 1928) and painting (Jean Lurçat, 1928; Paolo Uccello, 1929). He published several collections: Odes (1946) and Sans phrases (1953). His activities extended also to the theater (Tous ensemble autour du monde, 1943) and radio, where he produced a number of broadcasts (Paris, 1928; Tunis, 1938-40; Paris, 1945-57). A tireless traveler, most inquisitive and possessing a free and easy spirit, Soupault lived always faithful to the joyful fantasies of his youth.