Young American Girl In A State Of Nudity-Francis Picabia 1915A cynical statement on the mechanization of desire and sexuality, Francis Picabia’s Proto-Dada illustration was first published in Alfred Stieglitz’s magazine 291. Employing the style of commercial graphics found in trade magazines to downplay any notion of a highbrow and bourgeois art, the line drawing of a spark plug takes on a new meaning with the deeply ironical title.
Picabia’s, “Young American Girl In A State Of Nudity” has so many wonderful implications. I’m rather surprised it wasn’t banned, although maybe, just maybe the many meanings behind it was completely over looked by “those in charge” and view only as a spark plug. Thank you Mr. Cake, a wonderful post. ~ Miss Cranes
I’m sure there is a method to the madness, either Lee Miller or Yves Tanguy. Well it could be a “Dreams of Desire” too. Hmm… I guess I will have to be surprised. (Looking forward to more about Yves.)
Hi Cake, I especially love this post today. As I am reminiscing about a love that was supposed to be ‘for-ever’. Alas, nothing is forever…not a spark plug, not love…not sex. I suppose art is though…that is how we are able to enjoy what you are showing us here.
Thank you so much, this is could be a big metaphysical discussion. It is a great piece of art, though Picabia was resolutely anti-art and preferred womanising, gambling and heroin.
How profoundly ‘American’ – with all sorts of little ironies. The mechanization, the ‘throw away’ nature of a simple spark plug, the trade-magazine style. And in 1915, no less. Quite clever!
Picabia was French with Spanish and Cuban roots but along with Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray was a prime instigator of New York Dada. He liked fast cars, women, gambling, drugs and was generally louche, cynical and nihilistic. I like him a lot.
Picabia was French with Spanish and Cuban roots but along with Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray was a prime instigator of New York Dada. Women couldn’t resist his devil may care attitude
![291%20(sparkplug)[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/29120sparkplug1.jpg?w=656)
cakeordeathsite 
Love love love it.
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Thanks it’s a witty piece of art, I like Picabia he was charming, cynical and nihilistic
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Clever and humorous. Like this a lot.
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Thank you, it is very witty. It is interesting how concerns that we think are entirely contemporary have been bothering people for ages
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Ha ha! Too true.
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Picabia’s, “Young American Girl In A State Of Nudity” has so many wonderful implications. I’m rather surprised it wasn’t banned, although maybe, just maybe the many meanings behind it was completely over looked by “those in charge” and view only as a spark plug. Thank you Mr. Cake, a wonderful post. ~ Miss Cranes
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Thank you Miss Cranes…it is indeed a subversive work. Well a Man Ray, Picabia…can you guess who is next?
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I’m sure there is a method to the madness, either Lee Miller or Yves Tanguy. Well it could be a “Dreams of Desire” too. Hmm… I guess I will have to be surprised. (Looking forward to more about Yves.)
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Hopefully there is some method, it all makes sense to me but that doesn’t mean there is. You will just have to wait and see
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Now I’m quite curious, posting it today? Giving any clues?
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Read my reply to megs comments on for-ever
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Are you dedicating a post to Picabia?
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I mentioned the prime movers in New York Dada… today I posted Man Ray, Picabia so…
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Marcel Duchamp… I’m slow, it’s Monday!
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You are never slow Copper… it will yo in ten minutes… I think you will like this one… we can argue about my interpretation.
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Mr. Cake, thank you for letting me know. I will catch up with you and your post in a little while. Looking forward to it!
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Hi Cake, I especially love this post today. As I am reminiscing about a love that was supposed to be ‘for-ever’. Alas, nothing is forever…not a spark plug, not love…not sex. I suppose art is though…that is how we are able to enjoy what you are showing us here.
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Thank you so much, this is could be a big metaphysical discussion. It is a great piece of art, though Picabia was resolutely anti-art and preferred womanising, gambling and heroin.
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Cake, some people consider womanising, gambling, and shooting heroin an art form.
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And I wouldn’t disagree with them
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How profoundly ‘American’ – with all sorts of little ironies. The mechanization, the ‘throw away’ nature of a simple spark plug, the trade-magazine style. And in 1915, no less. Quite clever!
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Picabia was French with Spanish and Cuban roots but along with Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray was a prime instigator of New York Dada. He liked fast cars, women, gambling, drugs and was generally louche, cynical and nihilistic. I like him a lot.
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Turn of the last century YOLO. Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we may die?
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Probably… I believe he cut quite a swath through Paris, Barcelona, New York and Monte Carlo society. Women couldn’t resist his devil may care attitude
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The lovable rogue. Completely irresistible! Worth emulating, Monsieur?
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I need no fore bearer in revolution My good doctor
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No, I imagine you don’t… My dear lieutenant
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Thank you
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I am being productive today, another re-post.
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Picabia was French with Spanish and Cuban roots but along with Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray was a prime instigator of New York Dada. Women couldn’t resist his devil may care attitude
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