Women in Surrealism: London Eye for Tribute Magazine
June 2023: Jack Eames dives into the work of women in surrealism in Paris and shares his excitement for Dune Part 2 for Tribute Magazine
It’s an honour to have been invited back for a third time to share what excites me in art and culture news for Tribute Magazine. In this issue I was delighted to write about my trip to Paris, in particular an excellent exhibition about women in surrealism and the inspiring works on display. The piece below was originally published in June 2023.
1/ Exhibition: Surréalisme au Féminin? Women in Surrealism
l was fortunate to be working in Paris again recently, and stayed in the lovely Montmartre district (aka the 'surrealist hill'), where many of the artists featured in this exhibition trained. Surrealism was a provocative dynamic movement in the 20th Century, and men were not the only driving force. Many women in surrealism played a decisive role in the movement, but their works were neglected by museums and undervalued by the art market. If you’re visiting Paris before September 10th (2023), then I'd recommend a hang out on Montmartre and a pop into the exhibition to explore the incredible work of women in surrealism.
2/ Film: Denis Villeneuve
Villeneuve is a French/Canadian film director and writer, known for making visually inventive, beautifully-lit films. To re-invent the original Blade Runner into Blade Runner 2049 was pure genius, such an incredible sensory stimulus of a film. The sound, design and musical scores of his films throb, grind and pull you into the screen. Sci-Fi is not a genre that particularly interests me, and I've struggled with the hyper reality, but Villeneuve transcends the genre. I saw his attempt at Dune in 2021, and Dune Part 2 is out for release in November 2023. I cannot wait.
3/ TV: Succession Season 4
I was so excited to watch the final season of Succession, and it did not disappoint. Despite the unsympathetic characters the show is an excellent watch, filled with dramatic twists and dark humour. The final episode was an exciting and fitting round up to the series, and really took into consideration the interesting power dynamics and relationships between the characters. If Succession is still on your to watch list then dive in, if only for Kieran Culkin's amazing performance.
4/ Music: Underworld - "and the colour red"
1983 was the year the Welsh duo of Karl Hide and Rick Smith officially formed as Underworld, that's some longevity! They haven't released music since 2019, and now they're touring. Their latest track 'and the colour red’ came out last March (2022), to high critical acclaim. The electronic alchemists have really created a pulsating track that has its roots in the dark techno hard house rave beats of the late 80s/90s. They always work on producing a beat so constant and rolling you lose all sense of time and place. Joy. Have a listen.
5/ Digital: AI from Ash Thorp’s ‘Evident Mirror’ series
www.ashthorp.art/series/evident-mirror-series
l've just started working with an Al studio to see how I can embrace the technology and use it alongside my photographic and video work, and am very excited to see the results! It is particularly interesting following the likes of Ash Thorp, who shares his views on Al and discusses his excitement and fears for the technology. Thorp is a brilliant artist whose Evident Mirror series explores his curiosities around Al.
6/ Makeup artist: Ophelia Liu
I recently had the fantastic opportunity to work with the winner of Glow Up - Season 2 Ophelia Liu - an incredible make-up artist whose creativity was a joy. Ophelia has been forging a fantastic career as a make-up artist. I love the edge and artistry that she brings to her work, and am delighted by the images and videos that we made together.
7/ Podcast: Front Row
I live a busy life with work, relationship and child. However, listening to podcasts has really grounded my enthusiasm for art and life. Radio 4's Front Row is just 45 minutes long. The BBC describes the programme as a "live magazine programme on the world of arts, literature, film, media and music". I like how curious the show is about art and culture in the UK, with interviews about what make creatives do their art. With the way we are consuming and experiencing culture today ever evolving, it's good to have exposure to art forms I may well have missed.
8/ Big Shout Out: Jody Evans
ln my career I have the privilege of working alongside some brilliant creatives on my team, and one to watch at the moment is Jody Evans, a fantastic photographer whose personal work focuses on queerness and LGBTQIA+ communities in London. Jody recently curated a brilliant exhibition at Bermondsey Project Space which collated the work of several queer artists, including their own, to celebrate queer culture and symbols of identity. They have been shooting for some great publications, including their photographic coverage of the Ban Trans Conversion Therapy Protest in London which was published in i-D magazine. Big Love Jody.
