MAN RAY The Mysteries of Château du Dé | Gagosian

MAN RAY

Film Still from “L’étoile de mer”, 1928

Gelatin silver print

9 1/16 x 11 13/16 in
23 x 30 cm

© Man Ray Trust/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris 2019

Man Ray was a true icon in the world of art, fashion, and photography. With notable works like Glass tears and Object to Be Destroyed Man Ray made his mark in the grandeur world of art. A Philadelphia native who later found fame in Paris, his impact and legacy have proven to live on into the modern age, with the countless celebrations of his work, including Gagosian San Francisco’s inaugural exhibition of 2020, Man Ray: The Mysteries of Château du Dé. A screening was held of some of Man Ray’s films embracing surrealism. Another event, an exhilarating performance by rock band SQÜRL. There, the band performed live original scores to accompany four expressive films by the electrifying Man Ray.

MAN RAY

Film Still from “Emak Bakia”, 1926

Gelatin silver print

9 1/16 x 11 13/16 in
23 x 30 cm

© May Ray Trust/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris 2019

Man Ray began his thrilling career in the roaring ’20s, 1920 to be exact when he made his first film, his attempt at a three-dimensional film with the help of fellow artist Marcel Duchamp. Although not a success, his attempt proved his drive and sense of passion for his field of work. Man Ray came swinging full force into the world of art with Emak Bakia in the year 1926. With dreamy distortions and abstract camera angles, the work was oozing surrealism. This began a long and illustrious career embracing surrealism for Mr. Ray. Throughout his many works, Man Ray has proven that repetition was a critical part of his personal idea of art. With many recurring motifs and elements throughout his many works. He also had a very fluid way of alluding to the relationships between the real, and the unreal. Fact, and fiction. It’s no surprise that such a man was known as the leader of the “Pure Cinema” movement. Rejecting such commercial notions as characters, plot, and setting. Man Ray took the art world by storm in his own way and made his mark, which has lived on and influenced many years later.

MAN RAY The Mysteries of Château du Dé | January 14–February 29, 2020 San Francisco

---