There are some intriguing-looking spin-off events from the British Library’s ongoing Breaking the Rules: The Printed Face of the European Avant Garde 1900 – 1937 exhibition, including two that have strong links with the 1930s avant-garde cinema of Czechoslovakia and Poland.
The full list of January events is here, and the two I’m particularly interested in are:
Wednesday 9 January 2008
An evening for the Themersons
A celebration of the eclectic genius of Stefan and Franciszka Themerson, including film, music, readings and discussion. From 1930 the Themersons collaborated on experiments in photography and film, and became highly active pioneer members of the Polish cinematic Avant-Garde. Their early works combined an innovative use of photograms, photography and photo-collage techniques. In later years they moved to Britain, becoming better known for their books for children, as painters, publishers and theatre designers.
Presented in association with LUX and the Polish Cultural Institute.
Event time: 18.30 – 20.00
Location: Conference Centre, British Library
Price: £6.00 (concessions £4)
(I’ve seen the two films that the Themersons made while in exile in Britain in 1944-45 – Calling Mr Smith and The Eye and the Ear. The first is a somewhat hectoring but visually enthralling propagandist collage, aiming to show the British people the likely consequences – both political and cultural – of failing to stop Hitler, while the second comprises four beautiful abstract interpretations of four pieces of music by Karol Szymanowski.)
Tuesday 15 January 2008 (repeated Tuesday 22 January)
The Czech Avant Garde: Devětsil and Karel Teige
This talk is given by Susan Halstead, Slavonic and Eastern European Collections Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Spaces are limited. These talks are not seated.
Event time: 12.30 – 13.00
Location: In the Breaking the Rules Exhibition
Price: free
I wish i were in London these days. Please Michael, write your impressions after the talks.
Will do – I’ve already booked tickets.