While many exhibitions have explored Surrealism as a movement in literature and the fine arts, Surreal Things will be the first to examine its impact on architecture, design and the decorative arts. It will present a new approach to the subject, focusing on the creation of surrealist objects, whether unique works of art or examples of modern design.

From the sensuality of Dali’s Mae West Lips sofa to Schiaparelli’s disturbing Tear dress, Surrealism produced some of the most extraordinary objects ever created. This exhibition will bring together many of these rarely seen works for the very first time.

The exhibition will explore how Surrealism evolved from radical avant-garde beginnings to become one of the most influential movements of the century and a common visual language of modernity. It will trace the development of Surrealism from the creation of the first objects in the 1920s to its commercialisation after World War II, as the movement was absorbed into the worlds of fashion, commercial design, graphics and film.

Supported by the Friends of the V&A

Registration required:

No

Free:

Yes