Artissima 2025: Franciszka Themerson
Overview
Shot from "The Eye and The Ear" by Franciszka and Stefan Themerson, 1945
The presentation of Franciszka Themerson's work is part of the section Back to the Future. Curated by Heike Munder and Jacopo Visconti Crivelli, the section focuses on the rediscovery of pioneers of contemporary art who explored diverse methods and possibilities of communication between the 1940s and 1990s.
On view will be Franciszka Themerson’s 1945 film "The Eye and the Ear" (made in collaboration with husband Stefan), bi-abstract paintings and a selection of drawings from "Traces of Living" series (1960s), which – as per Munder’s words – “anticipate the aesthetics of pictograms, technical diagrams, or digital interfaces, decades before such visual logics became widespread”.
First screened in 1945, the black and white "The Eye and The Ear" explored the relationship between the optic and the sonic by translating poems by Julian Tuwim and music scores of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski into visually enthralling compositions. Made in four chapters, the film juxtaposed animations derived from photograms with music performed by Ronald Biggs orchestra and voice of Sophie Wyss. Originally recorded in 35 mm, the film was recently restored and digitalised.
First screened in 1945, the black and white "The Eye and The Ear" explored the relationship between the optic and the sonic by translating poems by Julian Tuwim and music scores of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski into visually enthralling compositions. Made in four chapters, the film juxtaposed animations derived from photograms with music performed by Ronald Biggs orchestra and voice of Sophie Wyss. Originally recorded in 35 mm, the film was recently restored and digitalised.
Installation Views
