MAINTENANT 12: A Journal of Contemporary Dada Writing and Art serves up the controversial theme, “WE ARE ALL A ‘LIKE’.” With the rise in social media use—and abuse—the concept of “like” has reached whole new levels. There’s the idea of an individual’s reaction to events, people, images, etc. as a reduction to “Like” or “Dislike” without need for deeper consideration. Then there is the status factor: that something which is “Liked” by the largest number of people is of value. In fact, in the social media orbit, it is seemingly beneficial to offer strong, sharp, simplistic opinions—instead of nuanced, deeper, shaded considerations—simply because they provoke the greatest likelihood of widespread attention. How will this reduction of thought shape the future of interpersonal relations, intellectual advancement, and politics? As we teeter on the brink of nuclear war, the concepts of Dada brilliantly encompass the urgency of present times with both clarity and purposeful confusion.

The MAINTENANT series, established in 2005, gathers the work of renowned and emerging dada artists and writers from around the world. The series has been archived in leading international institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art–New York, the BelVUE Museum–Brussels, and more. Renowned contributors have included artists Mark Kostabi, Raymond Pettibon, Giovanni Fontana, Jean-Jacques Lebel, and Kazunori Murakami. Writers have included Allen Ginsberg, Gerard Malanga, Charles Plymell, Jerome Rothenberg, and more, with a strong contingent of punk musician-artist-writers including Grant Hart, Mike Watt, and Exene Cervenka.

Past Praise for MAINTENANT: A Journal of Contemporary Dada Writing and Art
A compilation of leading Dada-influenced artists from around the world. --TRIBE LA Magazine

Excellent examples of collage and montage techniques . . . Interesting visual poems. --Portland Book Review

Contemporary art and writing ranging from collages and acrylics to new digital art motifs and using computers to create art . . . As always it brings an interesting perspective. --Manhattan Book Review

Though people expect Dada to be silly, and sometimes it is here, it is also often political and usually poignant. . . It's quite a smorgasbord for those who are sick and tired of it. --Seattle Book Review

Peter Carlaftes is a New York-based screenwriter, playwright, actor, poet, and editor. Author of A Year on Facebook (humor), Drunkyard Dog and I Fold With The Hand I Was Dealt (poetry) and Triumph for Rent (3 plays). Co-director, Three Rooms Press.

Kat Georges is a writer, poet, editor, director, playwright and designer. Author of Punk Rock Journal and Our Lady of the Hunger. Co-director, Three Rooms Press.