Surrealism Is Turning 100. See the Dreamlike Paintings That Made the Movement So Revolutionary

Surrealism: A Global Movement Celebrated in Paris Exhibition

In October 1924, French writer André Breton published the Surrealist Manifesto, which called for a new style of art and literature free from reason and moral constraints. This manifesto marked the beginning of the Surrealist movement, which spread globally and continues to influence artists to this day.

To commemorate the manifesto’s 100th anniversary, a new exhibition in Paris titled “Surrealism” showcases over 500 artifacts and artworks, including poems, drawings, sculptures, and paintings. The exhibition features pages from Breton’s original handwritten manuscript, brought to life through an artificial intelligence recording of Breton reading it aloud.

The show, which initially opened in Brussels and is currently at Paris’ Pompidou Center, will travel to Madrid, Hamburg, and Philadelphia before concluding its tour. Each museum hosting the exhibition takes a unique curatorial approach to highlight Surrealism’s impact as a global movement.

Curator Francisca Vandepitte emphasizes that Surrealism is a state of mind and a way of looking at things, rooted in irrationality, dreams, and liberation. The exhibition in Paris presents Surrealism as a global phenomenon, showcasing works by artists from diverse backgrounds and cultures who embraced its principles of challenging rationality and exploring alternative realities.

The Pompidou Center exhibition shines a light on overlooked female Surrealist artists like Dorothea Tanning, Leonora Carrington, and Dora Maar, alongside well-known figures such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. Themes of anticolonialism and environmentalism are also explored, aiming to engage younger audiences with Surrealism’s core beliefs.

As curator Marie Sarré notes, Surrealism spread worldwide, reaching Europe, the United States, South America, Asia, and the Maghreb. The exhibition highlights lesser-known Surrealists like Mexican painter Rufino Tamayo and Japanese artist Tatsuo Ikeda, showcasing the movement’s diverse and inclusive nature.

Ultimately, the exhibition at the Pompidou Center invites visitors to immerse themselves in the joy and pleasure that the Surrealists found in their revolutionary art. As Jonathan Jones observes, the Surrealists were adept at enjoying their creative freedom, making them not just figures in art history but delightful companions.

“Surrealism” will be on view at the Pompidou Center in Paris until January 13, 2025, offering a captivating journey through the global impact and enduring legacy of this groundbreaking artistic movement.