A centennial celebration at the National Museum in Warsaw.
A centennial celebration at the National Museum in Warsaw.
Sometimes, watching the daily news can make life feel surreal as it is. But head to the National Museum in Warsaw’s latest exhibition, Surrealism. Other Myths, where dreams and reality intertwine to give you a sense of escapism from it all. Running from May 10 to August 11, 2024, this exhibition abandons traditional views on surrealism, treating it as a global, inclusive, and diverse phenomenon. Over 300 works spanning from the interwar period to contemporary pieces will be showcased, featuring both Polish and international artists, all in celebration of surrealism’s 100th anniversary.
Surrealism burst onto the scene 100 years ago with André Breton’s Surrealism Manifesto, blending the lines between reality and dreams. Breton championed the subconscious mind’s spontaneous workings, leading to the creation of dreamlike, fantastical worlds. The movement spread rapidly worldwide, inspiring artists from Czechoslovakia to Japan. While Poland didn’t form an official surrealist group, the influence was undeniable.
The exhibition traces the roots of Polish surrealism to the Artes Association of Visual Artists, established in Lviv in 1929. Artists like Jerzy Janisch and Margit Sielska crafted works that melded cubism, constructivism, and surrealism, characterized by bizarre juxtapositions, biomorphic forms, and underwater-like dreamscapes. Techniques like collage and photomontage were their playground, mixing various visual realities into cohesive artworks.
Photography, a crucial medium for surrealists, features prominently in the exhibit. Expect to see heliographs by Karol Hiller, photomontages by Kazimierz Podsadecki, and surreal photograms by Janusz Maria Brzeski. The exhibition also highlights experimental works by Leonard Sempoliński, Zdzisław Beksiński, and others, capturing everyday objects from unrecognizable angles and transforming them into surreal visions.
Fortunata Obrąpalska’s Diffusions in liquids series, where simple solutions morph into surreal images, and her cosmic perspectives on mundane objects, showcase the playful nature of surrealist photography. Zbigniew Dłubak’s close-ups of wire, glass, and moss elevate ordinary items into abstract landscapes.
Post-World War II Polish artists, seeking a modern visual language, embraced surrealist motifs, blending human, animal, and plant forms into their art. Tadeusz Kantor and Maria Jarema explored these themes, while Erna Rosenstein and Kazimierz Mikulski delved into organic, dreamlike inspirations.
Non-European influences are also spotlighted, reflecting surrealists’ fascination with Eastern philosophies and indigenous cultures. Max Ernst’s masks, inspired by Native American art, and works by Jadwiga Maziarska highlight this global perspective.
Hurry to the National Museum in Warsaw before August 11th to see this unique exhibit and witness how Polish artists have uniquely contributed to a century of surrealism, blending local and global influences into their mythic, dreamlike creations.
