A year ago: “The literary world
is mourning the loss of Lev Rubinstein, the Russian conceptual poet whose life
was tragically cut short in a pedestrian accident in Moscow on January 10th,
2024. His passing not only marks the end of a unique voice but also underscores
a deep sense of grief for a figure who challenged conventions and offered a
poignant commentary on Soviet and post-Soviet life”.
Lev Rubinstein, a prominent figure in the Moscow
Conceptualist movement, wasn't your typical poet. Forget grand pronouncements
and flowing verses; Rubinstein’s work, often presented on index cards, was a
tapestry of fragmented thoughts, overheard conversations, and cultural
detritus. It’s a style that demands engagement, and within its seemingly simple
surface lies a sharp wit and a pervasive, often melancholic, humor.
Rubinstein’s humor wasn't the loud, laugh-out-loud kind.
Instead, it was a subtle, wry, and often absurd commentary on the everyday
absurdities of life, particularly under the Soviet regime and, later, the
complexities of post-Soviet Russia. His humor was born from meticulous
observation, a keen ear for language, and a playful manipulation of context.
The Art of the Absurd
One of the key elements of Rubinstein’s humor is his embrace
of the absurd. His index cards, presented sequentially, create a fragmented
narrative, a collage of disconnected thoughts. This disjointedness, while
initially perplexing, ultimately reveals the absurdity of attempting to impose
order on the chaotic nature of experience. He might juxtapose a banal
observation about catching the bus with a fleeting philosophical thought, a
bureaucratic pronouncement with a snippet of song lyrics. This jarring
juxtaposition exposes the inherent ridiculousness of language and the
often-meaningless rituals of daily life.
Consider, for example, a card that might read “The salt is
on the shelf” followed by “Where do broken dreams go?” The sudden shift from
the mundane to the poignant, from the concrete to the abstract, creates a
subtle comedic effect. It’s a humor that doesn’t rely on punchlines but rather
on the surprising and sometimes unsettling connections Rubinstein forces us to
make.
Irony as a Tool
Irony is another essential component of Rubinstein’s comedic
repertoire. Often, he employs a deadpan tone, presenting seemingly ordinary or
even mundane statements that, upon closer inspection, reveal a deeper layer of
sarcasm or social critique. This is particularly potent when he's dealing with
Soviet-era tropes and language. He might mimic bureaucratic language with such
precision that it becomes self-parody, laying bare the emptiness behind the
official pronouncements.
His humor is not overtly political in the sense of direct
protest, but through this subtle irony, he manages to dissect the power
structures and cultural norms of his time. It’s a quiet rebellion, a wink and a
nod that invites the reader to participate in the act of decoding the world
around them.
Humor as a Mode of Observation
Rubinstein’s humor also functions as a tool for observing
the human condition. He’s not just poking fun at the absurdities of life; he’s
also capturing the poignancy, the anxieties, and the quiet moments of
introspection that make up human experience. His work is a reminder that even
in the face of absurdity, there’s always a space for humor, for a gentle laugh
at ourselves and the world we inhabit.
His fragmented approach, while at first appearing chaotic,
allows him to capture the fleeting, often contradictory nature of human
thought. He’s showing us the way our minds work, hopping from one idea to the
next, often without clear connections. And in that process, he reveals the
inherent humor of this messy, often beautiful, process.
The Enduring Legacy
Lev Rubinstein’s legacy extends beyond his unique card-index
format. His wit and humor, born from careful observation and a playful
manipulation of language, continue to resonate with readers. He teaches us to
find humor in the mundane, to question the official narratives, and to embrace
the absurdity of life. His work is a reminder that laughter, even of the wry
and subtle kind, can be a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and the world
around us. He remains, even in his quiet, fragmented way, a true card sharper
of culture, deftly dealing out insightful observations that are both funny and
profound.
