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Preparation of altar VI

The Secretary Bird

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Author

Author Man Ray
People cited André Breton, Benjamin Péret

Description

Project of altar to be created by Man Ray for the international exhibition of the surrealism planned for the Maeght gallery in July 1947.

Among the creatures the organisers of the International Exhibition of Surrealism in 1947 devoted an altar, the secretary bird was fortunate enough to be a real animal species. On the other hand and, born under the sign of the Virgin, ‘motionless and fearless faced with monsters’, he is unfortunate enough to be fed by Benjamin Péret who, more inventive than ever, invents a diet based on tobacco, salt and vanilla. As a letter included in the file shows, however, his real father is Man Ray, who imagines him in the form of an ‘ostrich egg’, a photograph of which he attaches. The letter also contains a drawing that is sufficiently precise to give an indication of what the altar shown at the exhibition might have been like.

A folder labelled by André Breton as one of the 12 altars of the surrealist exhibition at the Maeght Gallery in 1947 (the documents are all in a ribbon folder).
VI. The secretary bird, a note handwritten by Breton

Handwritten letter signed with original drawing by Man Ray and addressed to André Breton.

An original photograph (25 x 20 cm) is attached representing an egg, given a title, dated and signed on the back by Man Ray:
‘The ostrich egg isn’t exactly the secretary bird, but for me it does represent the virgin. Put this work on large black cardboard box or in a large black frame or black box [...] (which would give the illusion of a third dimension). [drawing] To date I have only received a brief note from Marcel [Duchamp] but if there is a possibility of sending something from here or New York I shall arrange it with him.’ [sale catalogue, 2003]

*This entry was translated from the French by Michael Richardson.

Place of origin

Exhibition place

See also

1 Work

 

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[Merci pour l'invitation pour l'exposition]

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Man Ray

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Lettre de Man Ray à André Breton datée de Hollywood (Californie) le 6 février 1947.

Deux images, une notice descriptive, une œuvre associée

[Exhibitions] 1947, Exposition Maeght 1947