The last exhibition of the Surrealist group in New York 1947 recreated at Frieze Masters
Frederick Kiesler (1890–1965) was an architect, exhibition designer and artist responsible for changing standard notions of how we display art. Kiesler is most well known for his designs for Peggy Guggenheim’s museum-gallery, Art of this Century (1942–1947), as well as his influential designs for important Surrealist exhibitions including ‘Bloodflames 1947.’
Curated by noted art critic Nicolas Calas, ‘Bloodflames 1947’ was a major avant-garde and the last exhibition of the Surrealist group in New York held at the Hugo Gallery, and heavily focused on the work of Wifredo Lam.
Galerie Gmurzynska is pleased to announce a retrospective exhibition of historic proportions by Wifredo Lam at Frieze Masters, London installed in an environment based on designs by Kiesler. The exhibition is a career spanning survey of Lam’s groundbreaking oeuvre.
Lam was a vital part of Guggenheim’s legendary collection and Kiesler’s design for her Surrealist gallery is considered one of the cornerstones of mid-20th century art. Galerie Gmurzynska will present Lam’s work on similar iconic floating curved walls inspired by Kiesler’s designs.
The main focus of ‘Bloodflames 1947’ was a curtained area where one could recline and contemplate a work by Lam, which was hung on the ceiling. Galerie Gmurzynska will recreate this curtained area with Kiesler furnishings at Frieze Masters presentation.
This is the first time that these designs have been recreated.
Wifredo Lam (1902–1982) was a central figure of twentieth century art. He integrated himself into every major artistic circle and movement of much of the twentieth century. He greatly inspired Picasso, was a member of the Surrealist movement and also explored alternatives to the abstract expressionism of the 1950’s. Lam participated in the most important international exhibitions of his time such as “documenta” II and III in Kassel, Germany and the Venice Biennale in 1972.
The exhibition was organized by Galerie Gmurzynska in cooperation with the Estate of Wifredo Lam and the Austrian Frederick and Lillian Kiesler Private Foundation, Vienna.
Galerie Gmurzynska represents the Estate of Wifredo Lam worldwide.
A portfolio on the ‘Bloodflames 1947’ exhibition will be published by Galerie Gmurzynska on the occasion of this exhibition, featuring documentary images, articles and texts showing the important contemporary reaction to this exhibition and the influence of Wifredo Lam’s work on its continued influence.
A major monograph will also be published, it will be extensively illustrated with documentary images, many never before published.
Galerie Gmurzynska at Frieze Masters, Stand B7
Installation photos by Will Amlot