This year’s French May Arts Festival will feature around 80 cultural and artistic events over two months. In addition to a series of films, plays, and musical performances, there will also be various art exhibitions. The highlight of the festival is the “Beyond Surrealism – The Collection of the Paris Pompidou Center” exhibition, curated by surrealist art authority Didier Ottinger for the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The exhibition will showcase over 100 works and archival materials from artists such as André Breton, Giorgio de Chirico, Salvador Dali, Francis Picabia, Max Ernst, and René Magritte, all from the collection of the Paris Pompidou Center. This is definitely a must-see exhibition for art enthusiasts.
The works exhibited this time are based on a mythological perspective, spanning the entire development process of surrealism and artistic aesthetics. In 1924, when countries were engulfed in war and violent political ideologies, in order to bring a new perspective to the world, the founder of surrealism, André Breton, proposed to construct a new myth. The pioneering artists and thinkers of surrealism all yearned to replace the ancient myths that led to this disaster with modern myths, creating an era of their own.
Meguerditchian/Dist. RMN-GP, Copyright Artwork : © Adagp, Paris）
Among the works of Surrealist artists at the time, there were mythologies that reflected the society, history, and dreams of that time. Greek mythology had a profound influence on early Surrealist artists such as Salvador Dalí, Francis Picabia, and Max Ernst. Giorgio de Chirico’s paintings laid the foundation for other Surrealists to construct a modern mythology.
During the period from 1920 to 1930, the pursuit of modern myths became the core of surrealism. Surrealists rethought the meaning of modern myths, with concepts such as bustling cities and passionate love becoming the materials for constructing surrealistic myths, and in 1938, they even appeared in the form of a cosmic messenger “The Great Transparent One” who shuttles between life and death.
During the Second World War, the focus of Surrealism shifted towards mythologies related to divination and prophecy. Surrealist artists in exile in New York became more interested in mysticism and esotericism, while the indigenous cultures and pre-Columbian civilizations of the Americas inspired Mexican artist Diego Rivera, Cuban artist Wifredo Lam, and others to explore new perspectives.
“Beyond Surrealism – The Collection Exhibition at the Paris Pompidou Center” clearly presents the evolution of myths and the artistic aesthetics that run through surrealism. It is definitely a rich artistic feast that art lovers should not miss.
Date: From now until September 15 (Closed on Thursdays, except public holidays)
Location: Special Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor of Hong Kong Art Museum
圖片來源：法國五月
