Books in Focus at the SNGMA

Books in Focus at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Each session is devoted to artists books held in the collection of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. July’s session will focus on books by the German surrealist Hans Bellmer, whilst in August we will continue the surrealist theme by examining books by Salvador Dalí. The final session in September will focus on Joan Miró.

Hans Bellmer

Thursday 7^th July 2011, 11.30am -12.30pm, Modern Two

This session will focus on books by the German-born Surrealist artist Hans Bellmer (1902-1975), who documented the creation of his articulated ‘Doll’ with sketches and photographs in a number of French and German publications, and also produced illustrations for Surrealist erotica.

Salvador Dalí

Thursday 4^th August 2011, 11.30am – 12.30pm, Modern Two

Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) was a central figure in the early years of the Surrealist movement, and contributed images to a number of Surrealist texts in the 1930s and 1940s. Amongst the books examined in this session will be the influential prose poem Les Chants de Maldoror by Lautréamont, illustrated by Dalí, which was cited as a major inspiration by the Surrealists.

Joan Miró

Thursday 1^st September 2011, 11.30am – 12.30pm, Modern Two

The Catalan artist Joan Miró settled in Paris in 1918, and from 1924 onwards collaborated and exhibited with the Surrealist group. This session will include the 1958 book Constellations (reproducing prints by Miró, and accompanied by a text by André Breton), and a number of other publications featuring the familiar motifs of his poetic imagery.

There are only 10 spaces available in each session, so booking is essential – please ring 0131 624 6268 or email gmainfo@nationalgalleries.org to book your place.