International exhibition of surrealist art opens at the ERM
The Art Exhibition “Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and other stories …”. 20. the work of the best-known surrealist authors of the twentieth century and of today’s Estonia and the Czech Republic. The exhibition is part of the main programme of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.
The exhibition “Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and Other Stories …”, Czech and Estonian surrealist art enter into dialogue. At first glance, it may seem an unexpected combination, but the two countries are linked by a complicated history in the Soviet sphere of influence in the 20th century. century. Like Estonian cultural and art history, Czech and other Central and Eastern European art has to some extent been undeservedly neglected in the grand narratives.
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of a surrealist literary and artistic movement that has inspired many creators and delighted a wider audience over the centuries,” says Joanna Hoffmann, one of the curators of the exhibition. “In such a landmark year, Tartu, the centre of surrealist art in Estonia, is the European Capital of Culture. So there is good reason to link these two important events and celebrate them in a big way,” adds Hoffmann.
Prague was 20. In the 20th century, it was the second most important centre of surrealism in Europe, alongside Paris. Czech artists were in close contact with the Paris School and surrealism was dealt with programmatically. The most prominent authors to rise to the top of the surrealist school in Prague were, for example, Toyen and Jindřich Štyrský as the first generation, Mikuláš Medek, Emila Medková, Josef Istler and Václav Tikal as the second, and Jan Švankmajer and Eva Švankmajerová as the third.
In Estonia, surrealism has been dealt with more chaotically. Many artists, such as Eduard Wiiralt and Karin Luts, did indeed practice art with surrealist overtones, but they did not dedicate themselves exclusively to it. Ülo Soosteri and of course Ilmar Malin, who was also one of the founders of the PARA ’89 group, can be considered the most consistently surrealist authors in Estonia. Yet the whole of 20. We are proud to bring you some truly delightful surrealist gems from among the works of Estonian artists of the 20th century to celebrate the centenary of the world-famous art movement. Western Europe is powerfully telling its own story – it’s time for us here in Europe to do the same.
In addition to Estonian and Czech artists, the exhibition will also include a print by Salvador Dalí, which belongs to the Tartu Art Museum, as well as works by artists associated with the surrealist movement such as Luis Buñuel, Max Ernst, Man Ray and Giorgio de Chirico.
The exhibition is accompanied by an extensive catalogue introducing Estonian and Czech surrealism and a rich selection of images.
Czech surrealism curated by Anna Pravdová, PhD (National Gallery, Prague)
Estonian surrealism curated by Joanna Hoffmann (Tartu Art Museum), Kristlyn Liier (Tartu Art Museum).
Graphic design by Valter Jakovski (Room 414)
Exhibition design by Neeme Külm, Kadri Villand (Valge Kuup)
Coordinator: Kristlyn Liier
Find out more about the exhibition: https://www.erm.ee/et/surrealism100
The exhibition is part of the main programme of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.
Photo by Jüri Palm. Labyrinth of gardens.
