Literature

Spectres of Artaud: Language and the Arts in the 1950s

From 18 Sep 2012 to 16 Dec 2012

19 September - 17 December. This exhibition examines the influence that French poet and playwright Antonin Artaud (1896-1948) had on the lives of international artists linked to the avant-garde movements of the mid-20th century.

Artaud considered imagination, thoughts and dreams no less real than the generally-accepted notion of reality. This concept had a profound impact on some leading figures from the North American avant-garde such as musician John Cage, painters Robert Rauschenberg and Franz Kline, Beatnik poet Allen Ginsberg and later The Doors' frontman and lyricist Jim Morrison.

Displaying about 300 works by artists primarily from France, the US and Brazil - as well as drawing on documentary and audiovisual material - the show evaluates Artaud's multi-faceted legacy, revealing how his theories and proposals inspired exponents from both modern literature and the visual arts.

Mon-Sat 10.00-21.00, Sun 10.00-14.30