Surrealist obsession with desire, sex examined in exhibit - New York - Brief Article

Art Business News, Feb, 2002

Surrealism, the first major artistic movement to openly address the topics of love, desire and various aspects of sexuality, is the focus of a new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Entitled "Surrealism: Desire Unbound," the exhibit features more than 300 works including paintings, sculpture, photographs, films, poems, manuscripts and books. Surrealist luminaries such as Man Ray, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Rene Magritte, Alberto Giacometti and Salvador Dali will be represented, along with lesser-known artists. The exhibit also features work by several women artists like Frida Kahlo, Dorothea Tanning and Leonora Carrington.

The main theme of the exhibit, which was previously on view at the Tate Modern in London, is to show how the Surrealists artists were inspired by the concept of desire, according to museum officials.

"Guided by an unwavering belief that love, desire and freedom of the imagination were the salvation of humanity, the Surrealist vision was expressed in some of the most provocative works of art of the 20th century," said Director Philippe de Montebello. "This is a groundbreaking exhibition."

Highlights include "The Robing of the Bride" by Max Ernst, "The Rape" by Rene Magritte, "Self Portrait with Cropped Hair" by Frida Kahlo; and "The Invisible Object (Hands Holding the Void)" by Alberto Giacometti."

SHOW FACTS

Surrealism: Desire Unbound
Feb. 6 - May 12
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue
New York
Phone: (212) 535-7710
Web site: www.metmuseum.org