The Star Alphabet of E.L.T. Mesens. and in Brussels, Paris and Mu.ZEE 6.7.2013 – 17.11.2013

The exhibition The Star Alphabet of E.L.T. Mesens. Dada and Surrealism in Brussels, Paris and London is at Mu.ZEE from 6 July to 17 November 2013.

This large-scale exhibition is part of the triennial series that the museum started in 2010 with Visiting Ensor. In 2016, Mu.ZEE will organise the Max Beckmann exhibition on the occasion of the First World War centenary. The Star Alphabet of E.L.T. Mesens. Dada and Surrealism in Brussels, Paris and London was composed by Phillip Van den Bossche and Erich Weiss. Anouck Clissen is co-curator and Laura Bown was in charge of the exhibition architecture. Mieke Mels coordinated the catalogue, which is available in three languages (NL/FR/EN).

The exhibition The Star Alphabet of E.L.T. Mesens - Dada and Surrealism in Brussels, Paris and London is a tribute to one of the most eminent personalities in the European art world of the 20th century. If the three initials, E.L.T., could speak, then the history of art in the 20th century would unfold with passion in a myriad of stories. The artistry of E.L.T. Mesens has many origins and embraces numerous facets: composer, music critic, poet, photographer and collagist, publisher and designer for magazines and publications, (co-)publisher of manifestos, exhibition organiser, gallery owner and art collector. His passion in his youth for Dada and thereafter his international role as leader of the Surrealist movement in Europe mean that a portrait of E.L.T. Mesens can only be made as a composition of fragments, an analogy of the technique.

Part of the Surrealist movement from the very beginning, Mesens was one of its main proponents. He played an active role in the European international art scene and, from as early as the 1920s, he could count people such as the Romanian poet , Dutch artist Theo van Doesburg and French composer Erik Satie amongst his friends. Mesens is the man who gave René Magritte international fame and who introduced Surrealism to . He was friends with numerous artists, including , , Kurt Schwitters, , André Breton and . From 1938 to 1950 he was director of The London Gallery, where René Magritte, , Giorgio de Chirico and all exhibited their work. Mesens dedicated his life fully to poetry and the imagination. In the 1950s he focused on making and held major exhibitions at the Casino of Knokke.

Through his exceptional collages, writings and publications, the exhibition brings the history of Dada and Surrealism to life. Discover Dada and Surrealism in Brussels, Paris and London. The exhibition and the richly illustrated catalogue chart E.L.T Mesens’ fascinating life and artistry for the first time and contains numerous works of art, writings and archive photos by , René Magritte, Man Ray, Roland Penrose, Lee Miller, , Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí , Paul Delvaux, , Amadeo Modigliani, , Kurt Schwitters, Francis Picabia, John Banting, , Edith Rimmington, , Scottie Wilson, and many, many others!

Catalogue: The Star Alphabet of E.L.T. Mesens. Dada and Surrealism in Brussels, Paris and London

This richly illustrated catalogue brings to life E.L.T. Mesens’ fascinating artistry and life for the first time, and includes essays by Christiane Geurts-Krauss, Virginie Devillez, Xavier Canonne, Michel Remy, Simon Delobel, Nele Bernheim, Peter J.H. Pauwels, Erich Weiss and Phillip Van den Bossche. The catalogue, designed by Studio Derycke in Ghent, is available in Dutch and French (hard cover); the English version will be available in September (soft cover). The catalogue is for sale at the Mu.ZEE bookshop or on the website muzee.be (+P&P). Price: €65

Download press material After registration on the press site of muzee.be, you will receive a login and a pass word, by which you can download press material (texts and photo’s)

Practical Mu.ZEE Romestraat 11 B-8400 Oostende www.muzee.be; [email protected]

Duration & Opening Hours 6/7/2013 – 17/11/2013 10am-6pm Closed on Mondays

Tickets € 9 single adult € 7,5 55+, groups of minimum 15 people € 1 13-26 years old Free Children up to 12 years

On sale from Mu.ZEE Romestraat 11 – B-8400 Oostende Toerisme Oostende vzw Monacoplein 2 – B-8400 Oostende (Presale)

Guided tours € 60 guide (Nl, Fr, En, De) max. 25 pers. Only upon request via T+ 32 (0)59 24 21 91 / [email protected]

NMBS (Belgian Railways) The NMBS offers a B-Excursion-ticket: return trip by train + entry ticket The Star Alphabet of E.L.T. Mesens. Available from all Belgian stations. Code 548 ; code 549 for groups

De Lijn ( Flemish bus company) De Lijn (bus company) offers an advantage card during summer months. From the railway station Ostend: bus 6 or 14 (stop Saint-Peters church)

Combiticket Het sterrenalfabet van E.L.T. Mesens, Bonjour Ostende & Ensor House € 10

Bonjour Ostende > 15/9 The Star Alphabet of E.L.T. Mesens >17/11 Ensor House > 17/11 Bonjour Ostende, Venetiaanse Gaanderijen; Ensorhuis, Vlaanderenstraat 27

On sale from Mu.ZEE & Venetiaanse Gaanderijen