Nearly from its inception, Surrealism has had an international scope, but perspectives on the movement have been formed primarily through a Western European focus. The exhibition Surrealism Beyond Borders reconsiders the “movement” of Surrealism across boundaries of geography and chronology. This two-day series of conversations with leading scholars and artists continues to explore the issues raised in the exhibition, especially the blind spots, erasures, and challenges, and their consequences for thinking about Surrealism.
Please note: This live event takes place on Zoom. Free, though advance registration is required. Register for each session below.
Note that registration does not guarantee admission once Zoom reaches capacity. The conversations will also be recorded and available to view after the event.This symposium is presented by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational.
Session 1, 1–3 pm
Surrealism and Place
Looking transnationally and transhistorically, how has Surrealism been shared, adopted, or adapted across cultures, countries, and groups? What kinds of challenges exist in bridging languages, whether they be verbal, visual, or cultural? What issues should we consider in how Surrealism has been translated and transmitted? How might incommensurability play a role in histories of Surrealism? Is there potential productivity in “mis-translation”? How do these activities further or prevent access and reproducibility?
Speakers
Lori Cole, Associate Director and Clinical Associate Professor, XE: Experimental Humanities and Social Engagement, New York UniversityKrzysztof Fijalkowski, Professor of Visual Culture, Norwich University of the Arts
Talinn Grigor, Professor of Art History, University of California, Davis
fahima ife, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Louisiana State University
Mark Polizzotti, Publisher and Editor in Chief, The Met; author and translator
Moderated by Joan Kee, Professor, History of Art, University of Michigan
Session 2, 4–5:30 pm
On Black, Brown, & Beige
Speakers in this panel reflect on the landmark publication Black, Brown, & Beige: Surrealist Writings from Africa and the Diaspora (2009), coedited by Franklin Rosemont and Robin D. G. Kelley, which was the first anthology in English to acquaint readers around the world with Black Surrealists.
SpeakersRobin D. G. Kelley, Distinguished Professor and Gary B. Nash Endowed Chair in U.S. History, University of California, Los Angeles
Fred Moten, Professor, Department of Performance Studies and Comparative Literature, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
Moderated by Zita Cristina Nunes, Associate Professor of English, University of Pennsylvania
Autogenerated captioning is available.
