Taya King: La Sirena Surrealist Group participated in the International Exhibition of Surrealism by submitting collective poetry texts, artworks, and films, which was followed by their physical representation as a group at the exhibition in Cairo (February 2022). This historically significant event also marked the first time that all members of La Sirena have met each other since the group’s virtual inception the previous year, during lockdown. I was particularly proud to present my two films, La Femme Automatiqueand La Femme (Re)trouvée (2021), at the exhibition.
Opening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo Atelier
Darren Thomas: Being part of this great exhibition, in Cairo has been a truly special experience. As well as showing several of my collages and photographs, I screened the third film in my trilogy The Dream Key (eclipse) and performed my poetry. But my abiding memory is the collective and international nature of this meeting of hearts and minds from the surrealist community, offering a wonderful opportunity to meet old and new comrades alike from so many countries and different cultures and take part in a collective dialogue and group activities – the poetry made by all!
Kodak GalleryKodak GalleryKodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryPhotography Exhibition at Lamasatt GalleryFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierFilm Screenings at Cairo Atelier
Doug Campbell: I had been excited to see the rebirth of Egyptian surrealism over the last few years, and was thrilled to be invited to Cairo to participate in the exhibition. Despite the many challenges faced by the organisers, the event more than lived up to expectations. A meeting of minds in a magical space, and as such, perhaps necessarily challenging. For me, those challenges were a reason to get out there and get involved, not a reason to stay at home. I’m so glad I did, and I’m sure the contacts made and the energy generated will lead to many further adventures.
Kodak GalleryKodak GalleryKodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryCollective Collage at the Kodak GalleryCollective Collage at the Kodak GalleryKodak GalleryFilm Screenings at Cairo AtelierClosing Ceremony at ConsoleyaCollective Collage at the Kodak GalleryCollective Collage at the Kodak Gallery
Daina Kopp: I was over the moon to come to Cairo for such a monumental surrealist exhibit. As a polyglot, I was in my element to be surrounded by artists and creators of all kinds from 28 countries and 4 continents who flew in. It was an honor and a pleasure to submit artwork and perform with my surrealist dream-inspired band, Hypnagogic Telegram. It was enchanting to meet with my fellow sirens from La Sirena and I look forward to further collaborations with the artists who contributed to this amazing historical exhibit. An ancient country hosting the next chapter of surrealism. Bravo!
Opening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryOpening Ceremony at the Kodak GalleryKodak GalleryKodak GalleryKodak GalleryClosing Ceremony at ConsoleyaClosing Ceremony at ConsoleyaClosing Ceremony at Consoleya
2 replies on “International Exhibition of Surrealism Cairo 2022”
It’s good to see the Group’s works and, indeed, the Group in an exhibition setting – a really impressive collection! Thanks so much for sharing this. I think I spotted Deneuve in one of the images – here’s a couple I made sometime ago (one with John Welson)…she’s my favourite actress and had the pleasure of meting her at a South Bank Guardian event when she signed my Tate Desire Unbound magazine!
Thank you so much for your kind words, John! It means a great deal to us. We would love to see the images you and John W made. The Deneuve image is from Taya’s titles for her film La Femme Retrouvee.
La Sirena 
2 replies on “International Exhibition of Surrealism Cairo 2022”
It’s good to see the Group’s works and, indeed, the Group in an exhibition setting – a really impressive collection! Thanks so much for sharing this. I think I spotted Deneuve in one of the images – here’s a couple I made sometime ago (one with John Welson)…she’s my favourite actress and had the pleasure of meting her at a South Bank Guardian event when she signed my Tate Desire Unbound magazine!
with surrealist greetings,
JR
JR – 2014
JR & John Welson 2016
Signed cover !
>
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Thank you so much for your kind words, John! It means a great deal to us. We would love to see the images you and John W made. The Deneuve image is from Taya’s titles for her film La Femme Retrouvee.
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