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Tate Modern Film | Talk

Surrealist Film Screening and Symposium

30 April 2022 at 15.00–18.00
Black and white still of a close up of two statue heads, there is a lot of light and shadow

Still from Les Statues meurent aussi, 1953. Courtesy of Revue Présence Africaine.

Join leading academics, curators and film specialists for a unique surrealist film screening and symposium

This is a rare chance to view two of the most significant surrealist films side by side. The films are: Les statues meurent aussi, directed by Alain Resnais, Chris Marker and Ghislain Cloquet (1953) and L'invention du monde directed by Michel Zimbacca and Jean-Louis Bédouin (1952).

Statues Also Die is a French surrealist film. It explores how the perception of historical African Art has been affected by colonialism and issues of modern commercialisation of African culture. The Invention of the World shares an anti-colonialist commitment and is a poetic composition sharing artefacts from around the world. The commentary is by poet Benjamin Péret.

This event seeks to unpack the films content and explore the ambivalent ways in which European surrealists in the 1950s positioned themselves against colonialism and imperial oppression. The films are framed by focused talks, a chaired panel discussion and an extended Q&A.

Organised with Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational in partnership with Hyundai Motor.

Krzysztof Fijalkowski is professor of visual culture at Norwich University of the Arts. Since completing his PhD on the Surrealist Object in 1991, his major area of research and publication has been the history and theory of Surrealism, leading to a range of publications in academic journals and exhibition catalogues as well as monographs.

María Íñigo Clavo is an assistant professor at Open University of Catalonia and Lecturer at MA in Curating Art and Public Programmes at Whitechapel Gallery. She has been linked to research projects at University of Essex and University of the Arts London and University of Sao Paulo, where she also taught. She has collaborated with publications such as e-flux journal, Stedelijk journal, Third Text, Afterall, Pompidou and Museum of Art of Sao Paulo, Art in Translation (Taylor & Francis).

Michael Löwy (b. in Brazil and based in Paris since 1969) is currently Emeritus Research Director at the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research). His writings have been translated into 30 languages. Recent works include: Romanticism against the current of modernity (with Robert Sayre), Duke, Duke University Press, 2001. Fire Alarm. Reading Walter Benjamin’s ‘On the concept of history‘, London, Verso, 2005; Morning Star. Surrealism, Marxism, Anarchism, Situationism, Austin, University of Texas Press, 2009.

There are lifts to every floor of the Blavatnik and Natalie Bell buildings. Alternatively you can take the stairs.

  • Fully accessible toilets are located on every floor on the concourses.
  • A quiet room is available to use in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 4.
  • Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Ticket desks.

To help plan your visit to Tate Modern, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information of what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

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  • Call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 – option 1 (daily 09.45–18.00)
Check all Tate Modern accessibility information

Visitor numbers are being carefully managed. There are increased cleaning regimes in high use areas, protective screens on desks and counters and hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the gallery.

To help everyone keep at a safe distance we are limiting and managing visitor numbers with tickets. You will be given individual packs or sanitised materials to use at creative workshops. Enhanced cleaning is in place and we’ll ask you to wear a face covering, unless you’re exempt.

When you visit:

  • Keep your distance from others
  • Please wear a face covering unless you are exempt

Most importantly, if you or anyone you live with has COVID-19 symptoms please stay at home.

For more information take a look through our frequently asked questions.

Tate Modern

Starr Cinema

Bankside
London SE1 9TG
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30 April 2022 at 15.00–18.00

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