In Montparnasse

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Noted art historian and biographer Sue Roe explores the story of the Surrealists in Montparnasse, spanning from the eve of World War I to the 1936 unveiling of Dalí's Lobster Telephone. During these transformative years, the Surrealists innovatively examined the interior life and redefined art. Roe recounts this artistic revolution set against the backdrop of the vibrant salons and cafés of Montparnasse. She combines incisive art criticism with engaging biography, beginning with Duchamp and tracing the rise of the Dada movement, the birth of Surrealist photography with Man Ray, and the creation of significant works by Ernst, Cocteau, and others, culminating with Dalí's arrival. These artists juxtaposed previously unseen objects, prompting viewers to marvel at the ordinary and the subconscious. Roe immerses us in the lives of Montparnasse's artists, placing us alongside Gertrude Stein at The Rite of Spring's opening, Duchamp installing his famous urinal, and Cocteau at a theatrical event with Picasso and Coco Chanel. We also witness Breton's session with Freud and Man Ray's romance with Kiki de Montparnasse, capturing the essence of a groundbreaking artistic era.