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Surrealism Embodied: The Figure in American Art, 1933-1953

February 13 – March 28, 1992


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Artists included in this exhibition: John Atherton, Benjamin Benno, Eugene Berman, Federico Castellon, Joseph Cornell, James Guy, Hananiah Harari, Leon Kelly, Walter Murch, Alfonso Ossorio, Walter Quirt, Man Ray, Misha Reznikoff, Theodore Roszak, Attilio Salemme, Charles Seliger, Kurt Seligmann, Dorothea Tanning, Pavel Tchelitchew, and Joseph Vogel

Surrealism Embodied explores diverse interpretations of the human figure by artists who were dramatically influenced by Surrealism. Some were American-born and others were European emigres.

Americans adopted various Surrealist ideas and styles to accomplish their expressive needs. Despite common inspiration, the depiction of the human form took on many guises.

Unusual hybrids of Surrealism flourished including the unique American idiom of Social Surrealism. These artists implemented evocative Surrealist imagery to address the social, political, and economic unrest of the Great Depression and World War II era. The world around them, not the unconcious, was their subject. The figure was the vehicle of expression.

Also included are works more akin to Breton's Surrealist Manifesto conveying dream-like, romantic, psychological visions through figurative compositions. Additionally, Surrealist collages will be featured.