Page 200 - ART GIANTS issue of World of Art (WOA) Contemporary Art Magazine

WORLD-CLASS ART SUBTERRANEAN SKY:

SURREALISM IN THE MODERNA
MUSEET COLLECTION

This year marks a century since André Breton penned the
first Surrealist Manifesto, igniting one of the most radical and
enduring movements in modern art. The Subterranean Sky
invites audiences on a deep dive into the Moderna Museet’s
internationally acclaimed Surrealist collection, exploring
the philosophies and artistic breakthroughs that shaped
Surrealism, its historical impact, and its continued relevance in
contemporary art.
Surrealism is not merely an artistic style, it is a revolutionary
vision that challenges cultural and societal limitations. By
embracing dreams, the subconscious, and free association,
Surrealists sought to create a world beyond the confines of
logic and reason.
Marcel Duchamp, 3 Stoppages étalon, 1913–1914/1963 Photo: My
Matson/Moderna Museet. © Association Marcel Duchamp/ADAGP, Paris/
Bildupphovsrätt 2024

Robert Rauschenberg, Mud Muse, detail, 1968–1971 Photo: My Matson/
Moderna Museet. © Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Bildupphovsrätt 2024

Constantin Brancusi, Le Nouveau-Né II, 1919–1921 Photo: My Matson/Moderna
Museet. © Succession Brancusi. All rights reserved Bildupphovsrätt 2024

Curated by Lena Essling, the exhibition showcases nearly
200 works from the Moderna Museet Collection alongside
30 additional loans from various archives, libraries, and
institutions. Expanding beyond visual art, The Subterranean Sky
highlights Surrealism’s dynamic intersections with literature,
film, and performance.
Born from the ashes of global conflict, Surrealism emerged as
a response to the existential crises of the early 20th century,
developing in parallel across different regions. The movement
drew inspiration from Renaissance masters such as Giuseppe
Arcimboldo and Hieronymus Bosch, while also sharing artistic
kinship with Dadaism of the 1910s.
From the pioneering works of Claude Cahun, Wifredo Lam,

208 WORLD of ART