Surrealism and magic enchanted modernity in a fascinating and transformative way. Surrealism, an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, sought to explore the subconscious and challenge conventional notions of reality. It was inspired by the works of Sigmund Freud and aimed to reveal the hidden depths of the human mind. One of the key features of surrealism was its ability to transport viewers or readers into a dreamlike state, where the boundaries between the real and the imaginary were blurred. Artists like Salvador Dali, René Magritte, and Max Ernst created fantastical and often bizarre images that defied logic and reason. Through their works, they sought to tap into the rich realm of the unconscious and uncover the mysteries of the human psyche.

Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernity

The exhibition Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernity (October 22, 2022 – January 29, 2023) was the first large-scale international loan exhibition to focus on the Surrealists’ interest in magic and myth.

With his Manifesto of Surrealism, published in October 1924, the French writer André Breton founded a literary and artistic movement that soon became the leading international avant-garde. At the center of the Surrealist enterprise lay a reorientation towards the world of the night-dream, the unconscious and the irrational. Numerous artists, who moved in the intellectual orbit of the movement, also immersed themselves in the imaginative world of magic. In their works, they frequently drew on occult symbolism and cultivated the traditional image of the artist’s persona as a magician, seer, and alchemist. The exhibition ranges from the “metaphysical painting” of Giorgio de Chirico around 1915, through Max Ernst’s iconic painting Attirement of the Bride (1940), to the occult imagery that underpinned the late works of Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo.

VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022, Image: Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York (Photo: David Heald)

Victor Brauner: The Surrealist, 1947, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice

Magic was a stimulus to thinking. It freed man from fears, endowed him with a feeling of his power to control the world, sharpened his capacity to imagine, and kept awake his dreams of higher achievement.

Selected masterpieces by world-renowned artists such as Giorgio de Chirico, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and René Magritte were featured alongside key works by painters that remain to be discovered by the larger museum-going public, amongst them Victor Brauner, Enrico Donati, Jacques Hérold, Wolfgang Paalen, and Kurt Seligmann. In addition, the exhibition highlighted the central contribution of women, which comes to the fore in works by artists such as Leonora Carrington, Leonor Fini, Jacqueline Lamba, Kay Sage, Dorothea Tanning, and Remedios Varo.

The Estate of Kay Sage / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022, Image: bpk, Berlin / The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Kay Sage, Tomorrow Is Never, 1955, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

With works by artists from 15 countries and exhibits dating from 1914 to 1987, Surrealism presented itself as a global, transnational movement whose impact radiated far beyond France in the 1920s and 1930s. The loans came from over 50 museum and private collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Menil Collection in Houston, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Museo nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

The concept of the exhibition could be based on the outstanding holdings of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which has one of the most important collections of Surrealist painting in the world. Numerous works acquired by Peggy Guggenheim in the course of her patronage of the Surrealist movement vividly reflect its iconographic borrowings from occult symbolism.

An exhibition of the Museum Barberini, Potsdam, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, curated by Daniel Zamani (Potsdam) and Grazina Subelyte (Venice). In Venice, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection presented the exhibition from April 9 to September 26, 2022. The exhibition was accompanied by 240-page catalog (Prestel, 2022), featuring essays by Susan Aberth, Will Atkin, Victoria Ferentinou, Alyce Mahon, Kristoffer Noheden, Gavin Parkinson, Grazina Subelyte, and Daniel Zamani.

Surrealism and magic enchanted modernity

Free US shipping for orders over $100

Through their works, they sought to tap into the rich realm of the unconscious and uncover the mysteries of the human psyche. Magic also played a significant role in surrealism, as many artists incorporated elements of the occult and mysticism into their works. They were drawn to the idea of a supernatural or otherworldly power that could transcend the limitations of the rational world.

Shop favorites

This fascination with magic allowed surrealists to explore themes of transformation, metamorphosis, and the supernatural. In many ways, surrealism and magic were perfectly suited to the modern era. The rapid advancements in technology and science during the early 20th century brought about a sense of uncertainty and disorientation. The world was changing at an unprecedented rate, and traditional ways of understanding and interpreting reality were being challenged. Surrealism and magic offered an escape from this uncertain reality, allowing individuals to explore new possibilities and challenge the constraints of the rational world. They provided a way to navigate the complexities of modernity by tapping into the irrational and the mystical. Moreover, surrealism and magic were not limited to the realm of art and literature; they also had a profound influence on other aspects of modernity, such as fashion, advertising, and even politics. Surrealist-inspired fashion designs featured unconventional and dreamlike elements, while advertisements borrowed surrealistic imagery and concepts to captivate consumers. Politically, surrealism and magic were used as tools for subversion and social critique. Surrealists sought to challenge the status quo and break free from the constraints of societal norms. By embracing the irrational and the fantastical, they aimed to question the rationality and logic of the modern world. In conclusion, surrealism and magic enchanted modernity by offering a gateway to the subconscious and the irrational. They provided a means to navigate the uncertainties and complexities of the modern era, allowing individuals to transcend the boundaries of conventional reality. Whether through art, literature, fashion, or politics, surrealism and magic left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the 20th century, challenging our perceptions and expanding our understanding of what is possible..

Reviews for "Surrealism and the Alchemy of Modernity's Enchantment"

- John - 2/5 - "I was really disappointed with 'Surrealism and magic enchanted modernity'. The book promised an exploration of how surrealism intersects with modernity, but it fell short of delivering on that promise. The writing was convoluted and hard to follow, with too much jargon and unnecessary complexity. It felt like the author was trying to impress with their academic knowledge instead of actually explaining the subject matter. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for a clear and accessible examination of surrealism and modernity."

- Emma - 1/5 - "I found 'Surrealism and magic enchanted modernity' to be a pretentious and self-indulgent read. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their own intellectual prowess than providing any meaningful insights into the topic. The arguments presented were weak and lacked substance, often veering off into tangents that had little relevance. Additionally, the language was convoluted and overly academic, making it inaccessible to readers who don't have a background in art theory. Save your time and skip this one."

- Michael - 2/5 - "I was excited to delve into the world of surrealism and modernity through 'Surrealism and magic enchanted modernity', but the book left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The author's analysis lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to maintain interest. Overall, this book felt like a missed opportunity to explore the fascinating connection between surrealism and modernity."

- Sarah - 3/5 - "While 'Surrealism and magic enchanted modernity' had some interesting ideas, I found it to be overly dense and challenging to read. The author's analysis was at times hard to grasp, and the book lacked clear organization. It felt like there was a lack of concrete examples or case studies to support the arguments being made. Although I appreciate the attempt to explore surrealism within the context of modernity, I think the book could benefit from a more accessible and engaging approach."

The Surrealist Universe: A Vicarious Exploration of Modernity's Magic