Magic Realism

The term "magic realism" was first coined by Franz Roh in 1926 to describe a shift from the spiritual and anxious art of the Expressionist era to something more directly located in actuality. It is parallel to and overlapping with Neue Sachlichkeit, a movement associated with Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Christian Schad. The Weimar era was a period of extraordinary artistic creativity, with extreme political and economic conditions fueling imaginative production. Magic Realism will present four thematic essays exploring central concerns of Weimar culture, including the social mixing engendered by mass entertainment, the inter-connections between public and private spaces, the significant upsurge in religious feeling, and the unusual characters of the underground demi-monde.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2018
Publisher: Tate Publishing

This captivating publication delves into the captivating realm of magic realism, drawing inspiration from the German and Austrian artworks housed in the George Economou Collection. While the term is most commonly associated with the vibrant literature of Latin America in the twentieth century, it was first coined by the German artist and critic Franz Roh in 1926 to describe a significant shift from the spiritual and anxious art of the Expressionist era towards a more direct representation of reality. Magic realism can be seen as a parallel movement to Neue Sachlichkeit, also known as "new objectivity," which was characterized by artists such as Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Christian Schad. As the name suggests, the movement encompassed aspects of visionary imagination that extended beyond mere objective representation.

Beyond the studios of these painters embracing realism, there were connections with a dispassionate photographic style, realism, and satire in literature, theatre, cabaret, and cinema. The Weimar era, characterized by staggering financial instability and extraordinary artistic creativity, was a time of mass protests and the rise of popular, public entertainments. These extreme political and economic conditions seemed to fuel imaginative production within the context of widespread social unrest. Magic Realism, featuring approximately 75 illustrations, presents four thematic essays that explore some of the central concerns of Weimar culture.

"The Circus" delves into the social mixing engendered by mass entertainment, examining how it blurred boundaries and brought people together. "The Street and The Studio" explores the interconnections between public and private spaces in treatment and subject matter, highlighting the ways in which art influenced and reflected societal changes. "Faith" examines the significant upsurge in religious feeling during these uncertain years, exploring how it manifested in art and culture. "The Cabaret" returns to the profane, presenting the unusual and enigmatic characters that inhabited the world of cabaret during this period.

Through its rich visual imagery and insightful analysis, Magic Realism offers a captivating glimpse into the vibrant art and culture of the Weimar era. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of imagination and the ability of art to capture the essence of a time marked by profound social, political, and economic transformations.

Weight: 696g
Dimension: 237 x 238 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781849765886