The complex, enigmatic work of Meret Oppenheim (1913 1985) has lost nothing of its fascination to the present day. Much has been written about her career and her art. Yet very little is known about the real person Meret Oppenheim, who always remained secretive about herself and banned publication of any personal documents until 20 years after her death. In 1958, Oppenheim put together an album that she titled Von der Kindheit bis 1943 (From Childhood to 1943). It has a dual identity of a diary and a work of art in itself. It assembles photos, objects, notes and brief texts, as well as ideas and concepts for art works, and offers very personal insights into Oppenheim’s private life and thought. This book features the entire album in true-size colour reproductions and, for the first time ever, with the full text translated into English. This is supplemented with a previously unpublished autobiographical text by Oppenheim, which she wrote in 1957-58 on the request of the French scholar Yves Poupard-Lieussou for his never completed project of a bio-bibliographical history of Dada and Surrealism. An introduction by the editors Lisa Wenger and Martina Corgnati rounds out this beautiful book that offers entirely new perspectives on one of the most distinguished woman artists. Text in English and German. AUTHORS: Lisa Wenger, born 1949, is a niece of Meret Oppenheim. As one of the keepers of the artist’s estate, she has transcribed thousands of letters, notes and other documents by Oppenheim and her correspondents.
Martina Corgnati, born 1963, is an art historian, curator and critic. She teaches as a professor of history of art at Milan’s Brera Academy of Fine Art and has curated numerous exhibitions on Avant-garde and Neo Avant-garde art. SELLING POINTS: . First publication of Meret Oppenheim’s album From Childhood to 1943 and of another autobiographical text with full English translation . Features previously unpublished original material that is essential for art historical reception and allows a deeper understanding of Oppenheim’s art . Offers entirely new perspectives on one of the most distinguished woman artists 60 colour, 10 b/w illustrations
