One of the most influential art movements of the twentieth century, Surrealism expanded artistic and quotidian reality by drawing upon myths, dreams, and the subconscious as sources of artistic inspiration. The movement began in literature and art, but by the 1930s, it began to impact design―an influence that continues today. The fascination was often mutual: Surrealism opened design to the realm of dreams, and design could introduce surrealism to the broader world. “I try to create fantastic things, magical things, things like in a dream,” Salvador Dalí said of his work. “The world needs more fantasy.” Designers in fashion, furniture design, advertising, theater, film, and architecture took up the call.
Objects of Desire: Surrealism and Design is the first book to document this fascinating conversation. The publication includes numerous essays and a comprehensive selection of images that trace the reciprocal exchanges between surrealism and design by juxtaposing exemplary artworks and design objects.
Among the artists and designers featured in this volume are Gae Aulenti, Louise Bourgeois, Umberto and Fernando Campana, Achille Castiglioni, Giorgio de Chirico, Le Corbusier, Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Frederick Kiesler, René Magritte, Carlo Mollino, Meret Oppenheim, Jerszy Seymour, and many others. Historical texts and short commentaries by contemporary designers round out the publication, putting the extravagant objects in context. In-depth yet appropriately fantastical, Objects of Desire makes one thing abundantly clear: form does not always follow function in design―it can also follow our obsessions, fantasies, and hidden desires.
This is a used book. It is in Very Good condition.
Very Good (VG): Describes a book that shows some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper.