WIFREDO LAM: RETROSPECTIVE
with reconstructions from 1940’s designs
by Frederick Kiesler
Frieze Masters
Regents Park, London
October 17 – 20, 2013

Galerie Gmurzynska is pleased to announce a retrospective exhibition of historic proportions by Wifredo Lam for their participation at Frieze Masters, London from October 17 – 20, 2013. Installed in an environment based on designs by Frederick Kiesler, the exhibition will be a career spanning survey of Lam’s groundbreaking oeuvre.

Wifredo Lam (1902–1982) was a central figure of twentieth century art. He integrated himself into every major artistic circle and movement of much of the twentieth century. He greatly inspired Picasso, was a member of the Surrealist movement and also explored alternatives to the abstract expressionism of the 1950’s. Lam participated in the most important international exhibitions of his time such as 'documenta' II and III in Kassel, Germany and the Venice Biennale in 1972.
Frederick Kiesler (1890–1965) was an architect, exhibition designer and artist responsible for changing standard notions of how we display art. Kiesler is most well known for his designs for Peggy Guggenheim’s museum-gallery, Art of this Century (1942–1947), as well as his influential designs for important Surrealist exhibitions including ‘Bloodflames 1947’ (Hugo Gallery, 1947).

Galerie Gmurzynska’s installation at Frieze Masters revisits Kiesler’s designs for ‘Bloodflames 1947’, the important international Surrealism exhibition held at the Hugo Gallery in New York in 1947 as well as utilising quotes connected to his design for the Surrealist Gallery at Peggy Guggenheim’s Art of this Century exhibition space. This is the first time that these designs have been recreated. Wifredo Lam was a vital part of Guggenheim’s legendary collection and Kiesler’s design for her Surrealist gallery is considered one of the cornerstones of mid-20th century art. Galerie Gmurzynska will be presenting Lam’s work on similar iconic floating curved walls inspired by Kiesler’s designs.

Curated by noted art critic Nicolas Calas, ‘Bloodflames 1947’ was the last exhibition of the Surrealist group in New York and heavily focused on the work of Wifredo Lam. Designed by Kiesler, ‘Bloodflames 1947’ was a major avant-garde exhibition; its focus piece was a curtained area where one could recline and contemplate a work by Lam, which was hung on the ceiling. This curtained area will be recreated with Kiesler furnishings for Galerie Gmurzynska’s Frieze Masters presentation.

The exhibition was organized by Galerie Gmurzynska in cooperation with the Estate of Wifredo Lam and the Austrian Frederick and Lillian Kiesler Private Foundation, Vienna.
A portfolio on the ‘Bloodflames 1947’ exhibition will be published by Galerie Gmurzynska on the occasion of this exhibition, featuring documentary images, articles and texts showing the important contemporary reaction to this exhibition and the influence of Wifredo Lam’s work on its continued influence. A major monograph will also be published, it will be extensively illustrated with documentary images, many never before published.