Metamorfosis is the new exhibition at CCCB in Barcelona, a compendium of rare objects, cabinet of curiosities, surrealism and mind-blowing films. It shows the fantasy visions in Ladislas Starewitch, Jan Švankmajer and the Brothers Quay, all their inspiration and art. As the exhibition flyer says 'Metamorfosis is freedom. Extreme freedom through creation between dreams and reality, intuition, imagination, childhood as a life attitude'. In this strange and seductive travel through the paths that unite insomnia and dream we will encounter Franz Kafka, Bruno Schulz, Alice, Sigmund Freud, the Brothers Grimm, Salvador Dalí, Goya and many others. Come join the freak-show.
We first discover Ladislas Starewitch (1882-1965), deep into the woods where his expressive animals and other magic creatures live. His films are full of details that make you smile with his genius, escaping from conventions and creating a whole new universe in each tale.
Figures from the film Le Roman de Renard (1929-30).
Frame from the film L'Horloge magique (1928).
Figures from the film Le Rat des villes et le rat des champs (1932).
Charles Le Brun (1619-1690) - Dissertation sur un Traité de Charles Le Brun concernant le rapport de la Physionomie Humaine avec celle des animaux.
This journey through imagination continues with the cabinet of curiosities of Jan Švankmajer (1934), strange animals, natural history collages and portraits inspired by Arcimboldo. His art is insane and surrealist, and his films have something morbid that attracts your attention. His film Alice (1988) is a complete piece of surreal art in which imagination is the only path to follow.
Detail of a collage inspired by Arcimboldo.
Masturbation machine from the film Conspirators of Pleasure (1996).
The last part of the exhibition penetrates into the grey and mysterious world of the Brothers Quay (1947). Their films transport you to a whole universe of horror and fantasy, guided by an incredible soundtrack that echoes every inch of fear and mistery of their darkly romantic creations. The Street of Crocodiles (1986) based on the homonimus novel by Bruno Schulz, is just one example of their incredible art.
Diorama from the film The Calligrapher (1991).
More info at CCCB - Metamorfosis
Photography by When Audrey Met Darcy
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