Cut-up

A cut-up refers to a form of artistic expression or literary technique where existing texts or images are manipulated and rearranged to create new meanings or narratives. This method is often associated with the Dada art movement and the literary works of William S. Burroughs, wherein words, images, or sounds are fragmented and juxtaposed to challenge conventional forms of storytelling.

Cut-up meaning with examples

• The playwright adopted a cut-up technique for his new script, blending lines from famous speeches with modern dialogue to create a unique narrative voice. This unconventional method drew both praise and criticism, as audiences debated the merits of traditional storytelling versus innovative approaches.
• Inspired by the cut-up style popularized by Burroughs, the artist created a collage that featured snippets of newspaper articles, photographs, and magazine ads, resulting in a thought-provoking commentary on consumer culture and media consumption in today's society.
• In her poetry workshop, the teacher introduced students to the concept of cut-up writing, encouraging them to randomly select lines from their drafts and rearrange them to spark creativity. Many students found unexpected beauty in the new combinations, leading to fresh ideas for their poems.
• The filmmaker experimented with cut-up editing techniques in his latest project, juxtaposing various scenes and dialogues from different time periods to convey the fragmented nature of memory and the complexities of human experience amid chaos.
• During the gallery opening, viewers were fascinated by the artist's cut-up installations that combined video projections and audio snippets. The work challenged traditional perceptions of art, as participants were invited to interact with the irregularly arranged narratives and contribute their interpretations.