Surrealist Centennial Examines the 100-Year Legacy of Surrealism Across Photography at Madrid’s International Photography Festival
Loewe and the Loewe Foundation have announced the presentation of an exhibition at PHotoESPAÑA, the International Festival of Photography and Visual Arts of Madrid. Titled Surrealist Centennial, the exhibition showcases the wide-reaching impact of Surrealism on photography, marking the centenary of André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto published in 1924. Curated by María Millán, the display features photographs spanning the century by 24 artists and collectives from across Europe, the Americas and Asia, spotlighting a phenomenon that enriched the forms, themes and aesthetics of photographic practice.
In addition to surrealist icons like Kati Horna, Leonora Carrington, and Dora Maar, the exhibition showcases numerous other photographers less commonly considered part of the surrealist canon but who nonetheless adopted playful, experimental approaches inspired by Surrealism. These include practitioners like André Kertész, Horst P. Horst, Tina Modotti, and Edward Weston.
Meanwhile, the longer-term legacy of Surrealism is evident from later works by artists such as Hiro, Ana Mendieta, Marion Scemama, Kiki Smith, David Wojnarowicz, and Francesca Woodman.
Nodding to the International Exhibition of Surrealism that took place in Mexico City in 1940, the exhibition also specifically highlights Latin America’s involvement in and contribution to Surrealism. Works by Mexican artists like Lola Álvarez Bravo, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Rosa Covarrubias, María García, and Graciela Iturbide illustrate surrealism’s connections with a region that was also the leader in developing one of the 20th centuries defining literary movements, magical realism.
PHotoESPAÑA is Spain’s premier International Festival of Photography and Visual Arts. Promoted by Fundación Contemporánea and organised by La Fábrica, both Madrid-based institutions, the festival attracts art photography, videos, and installations by some of the world’s most renowned Spanish and international artists. It comprises exhibitions held in museums, art galleries, and smaller venues in addition to a host of activities such as workshops, seminars, viewings, meetings, conferences, and screenings.
As part of the activities, Surrealist Centennial is on view at the Leica Gallery Madrid from June 6th to September 14th.
