A century ago, French writer André Breton (1896-1966) published the Manifeste du Surréalisme. Here, he defined the movement as “pure psychic automatism, by which one proposes to express—verbally, by means of the written word, or in any other manner—the actual functioning of thought.” From here, Surrealism grew wings and it remains influential one hundred years later. Today, we present a roundup of exhibitions all over the world that are recognising incredible luminaries of the movement – both past and present.
The Traumatic Surreal | Henry Moore Institute | 22 November – 16 March
The Henry Moore Institute explores the radical appropriation and development of surrealist sculptural traditions by post-war women artists in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Based on University of Edinburgh’s Professor Allmer’s book The Traumatic Surreal, this is a show that brings together projects from seven luminaries: Renate Bertlmann, Birgit Jürgenssen, Bady Minck, Meret Oppenheim, Pipilotti Rist, Ursula (Schultze-Bluhm) and Eva Wipf. These artists used Surrealism’s capacity to challenge conventions and systems of belief in order to critique the patriarchy and redefine womanhood.
Surrealism | Centre Pompidou | Until 13 January
Centre Pompidou has crafted an exhibition that radiates like a spiral out from the original manuscript of Breton’s influential Manifeste du Surréalisme, which has been specially loaned to the museum by the Bibliothèque nationale de France. From this nexus point, visitors retrace the progress of the movement from 1924 to 1969. This celebration showcases creativity from the likes of René Magritte, Dora Maar, Dorothea Tanning, Joan Miró and more, across a broad variety of disciplines, from drawing and literature to film and photography. The Guardian states: “What sweeps you along, laughing and marvelling, is the joy and liberation the artists felt making their art, or rather letting it be made by forces unknown.”
Butterfly Time: Part II | Richard Saltoun | Until 19 October
Toyen’s Butterfly Time – Pre-Spring invites us to a meeting of the blue-winged insects, as they congregate on pebbles. Richard Saltoun gallery’s exhibition cycle dedicated to female Surrealists is named after this thought-provoking piece. Now, its second instalment shines the spotlight on Bona De Manduargues (b. 1926), Mimi Parent (b. 1924), Juliana Seraphim (b. 1934) and Toyen (b. 1902). These women are unified by shared influences and themes, including displacement, the profound impact of war, the experience of migration and exile, explorations of identity and gender and the intersection of personal and mythologies.
Surrealism: Worlds in Dialogue | Kunsthalle Vogelmann | Until 5 January
With fantastic, radically subjective motifs, surrealism revolutionised art from the 1920s onwards. Kunsthalle Vogelmann immerses visitors in the world of this influential movement. Monstrous hybrids, dream landscapes and bizarre objects challenge perception and steer thinking in new directions.On display is work from Claude Cahun, Max Ernst, Barbara Kruger, Yayoi Kusama, Meret Oppenheim and more. Here, we find Surrealists from the very beginning in conversation with contemporary creatives. The movement continues to expand and evolve, as today’s artists face global crises and socio-political upheaval.
Vivian Sassen Phosphor: Art & Fashion | Foam | From 21 September
“Breton recognises that there’s an ordinary reality behind this extraordinary perception, and that a shift in focus allowed the unusual, surreal image to appear. The same principle runs through my work. It is hard to rationalise what is presented; reflections and refractions disrupt understandable compositions.” Dutch visual artist Viviane Sassen continues to draw inspiration from 20th century Surrealist ideas. A characteristically Sassne shot features vivid colour palette, bold use of chiaroscuro and unique portrayals of the body. Today, her work continues to explore the concept of the uncanny and the unconventional.
Words: Diana Bestwish Tetteh
Image Credits:
- Bady Minck, still from ‘La Belle est la Bête’ 2005 © Bady Minck, AUT/LUX/NED 2005, sixpackfilm.
- Dora Maar Untitled [Main-coquillage], 1934 Gelatin silver print 40,1 x 28,9 cm Centre Pompidou, Musée national d’art moderne, Paris Purchase, 1991 Ph © Centre Pompidou, MNAM-CCI/Jacques Faujour/ Dist. RMN-GP © Adagp, Paris, 2024
- Claude Cahun Self portrait (in robe with masks attached) [Selbstportait (in Robe mit angehefteten Masken)], 1928 Fine Art Print Courtesy of Jersey Heritage Collections.
