It must be the quietest block busting show in Paris. No queues. No block to bust. Hmm. I'm guessing surrealism might have had its day with the current art crowd. Despite the surprise that some of these things are nearly a hundred years' old, it was nice to see some favourites like Dali's Lobster Telephone, Magritte's cloud head and painting called this is a piece of cheese (Ceci est un Morceau de Fromage), a couple of Chirico paintings and Man Ray's photographs (Woman as a hand mixer and the like).
Interestingly arranged with selected objects from the various International Surrealist shows of the 1930s and 40s, the most striking rooms were those dedicated to Miro, and Giocametti, whose abstract sculptures are less well known than his tall thin figures. Although to be fair I am not a Miro fan, so I amused myself taking pictures of men looking at a woman.
By far the most risible work is the collection of fish tank rocks, temples and bridges; a found piece that might have been best left in the pet shop. It was interesting to see some contemporary works too like Ed Rucha's simple placemat, but then I am a sucker for art with words.
Revelation of the day - that Andre Breton had very neat handwriting.
Go if you must, but not with young kids, as there are rather too many phalluses. It's on until 3 March 2014, so plenty of time to choose other exhibitions to see.
