Direct quotes from Duchamp's notes describing the components and geometry of *The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even*.
Updated
4/15/2026
Reading Time
1 min
Source: Roberto Giunti, "The Bachelor Stripped Bare by Cabri Géomètre, Even" (2007), citing Duchamp's notes.
The principal forms of the bachelor apparatus or utensil are imperfect: Rectangle, circle, square, parallelepiped, symmetrical handle; demisphere.
The threads could also be related to the geometric concept of ruled surface.
The rollers do not interpenetrate as the device is grinding.
The wheels will rotate forward and backward, the paddles will be over and under, in front and back.
The rotation of the water wheels was intended to enable the onanistic left-right motion of the Chariot.
The spangles pass through the parasols A, C, D, E, F…B. and as they gradually arrive at D, E, F, … etc. they are straightened out.
The group of these parasols forms a sort of labyrinth of the three directions.
The Chariot will turn inside out as if it were a glove.
In the Bride – the principal forms will be more or less large or small, no longer have mensurability in relation to their destination.
Parabolas, hyperbolas (or volumes deriving from them) will lose all connotation of men-surated position.
Perspective + Transparency + Motion = Emulation of 4D spatiality
One must consult the book, and see the two together — to remove the retinal aspect.