James Metcalf on the fictionality of the latest archaeological page-turners
Stephen Puddicombe looks at the unusual appeal of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Ciaran Rafferty investigates the science of book classification
From a dinner jacket covered in shot glasses full of crème de menthe to a table that looks as if it’s about to bend its long, thin, bird’s legs and take flight, these are the most quotidian of objects with the quirkiest of twists. Well, ok, ‘twists’ is perhaps not doing enough justice to the multitude of manifestoes that seem to have given birth to Surrealism.
In fact, the theory behind the weirdness is thoroughly explored – but the exhibition’s enduring theme is the uneasy bond between surreal art and the very real commercial profits made by surrealist advertising. Pick up a copy of Vogue today and most likely you will find the ubiquitous Kate Moss pouting back at you. Not so in August 1937. This particular classic cover (featured in the exhibition) shows an anonymous, faceless woman leaping gracefully over a vast white shell, flanked by a man buried almost to his bowler hat in sand on one side and a dinky car on the other. The cover of Vogue was a fairly serious loss of integrity for an artistic movement with Marxist origins.
Then again, the exhibition’s strong Freudian overtones will probably be enough to make you forgive those lousy corporate sellouts! The mildly kinky chair/corset (it’s a bit of both) is tame in comparison with Man Ray’s “Venus Restored” in which classical Greek sculpture is casually mixed with a little light S&M. The fetish theme continues with Horst P. Horst’s “Barefoot Beauty.” And if you’re feeling a little flustered after all that then there are plenty of seats around – beware though: the tacky replica sofas modeled on Mae West’s lips are more aesthetically pleasing than they are comfortable. The original looks a whole lot comfier, but is firmly behind a pane of glass.
Both for those who are passionately interested in the development of this artistic movement, and those who just want to ponder the pros and cons of a lobster telephone - this exhibition will surreally give you something to think about.
Surreal Things: Surrealism and Design Victoria & Albert Museum, until 22 July.
