Literary cut-up

Literary cut-up is a creative technique where existing texts—such as books, newspapers, or other writings—are cut into pieces and then rearranged randomly or according to specific methods. This process produces a new, often surprising or abstract, piece of writing that blends different sources and perspectives. The technique, popularized by artists like William S. Burroughs and Brion Gysin, challenges traditional notions of authorship and meaning, emphasizing chance and the unexpected in creating literary art. Essentially, it transforms familiar texts into fresh compositions by physically cutting and reassembling the material.