Abstract

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The relationship of the notion of a ‘dream’ to Surrealist art has long been established, however, it has not been applied to exhibitions studies. The aim of this dissertation is to show the influence of 1938 Paris International Surrealist Exhibition on the Second Exhibition of Free Art that took place in Cairo in 1941.

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This thesis argues that both of these exhibitions were not only designed to resemble a dream but aided the immersion into it. This dissertation concludes that the main similarity between two exhibitions and the main aspect inherited by the Art and Liberty group from Surrealists in Paris is in the emphasis on the dream whether in curation or in art.

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The thesis is divided into three chapters. Chapter 1 deals with the 1938 International Surrealist Exhibition in Paris. The exhibition is analysed from the point of view of characteristics of dreams. It focusses on the fantasy of intra-uterine existence and sexualisation of the female body. Chapter 2 deals with the painting and curator at the 1941 Second Exhibition of Free Art in Cairo. It focusses on the Surrealist depiction of suffering and explains the original idea of the group called Subjective Realism. Chapter 3 is dedicated to both exhibitions and their response to the Degenerate Art Exhibition in Munich and ideas of freedom and liberation.

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Even though some scholarly literature has been dedicated to each exhibition, nobody has studied them together. The research, therefore, has largely focused on the primary sources. Andre Breton’s Manifesto of Surrealism and Art and Liberty’s Long Live Degenerate Art have played a key role in understanding the motivations of both groups.The thesis draws upon Sigmund Freud’s ideas about dreams and the subconscious. Artist’s publications like Salvador Dali’s autobiographies and Kamel el-Telmisany’s articles on Modern art also contribute to the argument. The secondary sources are used to support and elaborate on the primary sources. The research employed both digital materials and physical materials available in major London libraries.