Madrid, a city with a rich cultural heritage, is preparing to host a series of fascinating exhibitions in 2025, each exploring different artistic universes.
Galerie Joseph , a major player in gallery rentals in Paris, remains an essential reference for those seeking creative and inspiring spaces. Although located in Paris, its galleries are nonetheless influential on the international scene, offering spaces for bold and innovative exhibitions while supporting contemporary artists.
Here is a personal selection of three major events not to be missed in Madrid, each offering a unique perspective on significant artistic and literary movements.
1. 1924. Other surrealisms – Fundación Mapfre
From February 6 to 11 May 2025
To mark the centenary of André Breton's Surrealist Manifesto, the Mapfre Foundation , in its Sala Recoletos, presents the exhibition 1924. Other Surrealisms . This project examines the impact and evolution of Surrealism, not only in Europe, but particularly in Spain, a peripheral but fundamental nation in the history of the movement.
The exhibition explores the diverse interpretations of Surrealism, from its iconic figures like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte to lesser-known artists such as Nicolás de Lekuona and José Alemany. By also highlighting the female contribution of artists like Remedios Varo and Maruja Mallo, this exhibition reminds us that Surrealism has influenced every continent and every art form. Furthermore, the presentation takes on an international dimension, having previously been shown at the Centre Pompidou and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium before arriving in Madrid.
For lovers of painting and surrealist culture, this is a unique opportunity to discover the influences, struggles and creations that shaped an iconic movement.
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2. Alice's Worlds – CaixaForum
From April 3 to August 3, 2025
The exhibition "Alice's Worlds ," taking place at the CaixaForum Madrid, is a celebration of Lewis Carroll's work, more than 150 years after the publication of his famous book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland . This immersive exhibition, the largest ever mounted on this cultural phenomenon, explores Alice's influence through the lens of visual arts, film, fashion, and even science.
Comprising five sections, it traces film adaptations, the work's impact on the theatre, and even contemporary reinterpretations through psychedelic art and interactive installations. Joseph McHugh, with his psychedelic display of the Cheshire Cat, offers a striking example of how Alice was reimagined in the 60s.
The exhibition invites visitors to explore Carroll's whimsical world, a blend of dream and reality, while reflecting on how today's collective imagination has been influenced by the writer's creations. It's a comprehensive experience that will appeal to fantasy fans as well as those fascinated by the interplay between literature and art.
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3. Proust and Art – Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
March 4 8 in June 2025
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, one of Madrid's most prestigious museums, will host a groundbreaking exhibition exploring the profound influence of art on the life and work of Marcel Proust. Through paintings, sculptures, drawings, and original manuscripts, this exhibition reveals how the great artists of his time shaped his imagination and nourished his literary thought.
Visitors will have the opportunity to discover works by masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Manet, and Renoir, artists who shaped the modern Paris in which Proust lived. These works of art are presented in relation to the scenes and settings that populate In Search of Lost Time , his literary masterpiece.
The exhibition also highlights the evolution of art at the beginning of the 20th century, from Impressionism to Symbolism, while exploring the influences that art, music, and theater had on Proust 's writing . This immersion into the soul of the French writer, through rare objects and precious manuscripts, is a unique opportunity to understand the link between art and literature at the turn of the century.
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A Journey to the Heart of Artistic Creation
These three exhibitions offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of artistic ideas in the 20th century and how culture—whether surrealist, literary, or fantastical—intertwines to shape our contemporary era. Whether you are passionate about surrealism, literature, or visual art, each of these exhibitions invites you on a sensory and intellectual journey that transcends the boundaries of traditional art.
In Paris, art galleries like Galerie Joseph, with its temporary exhibition spaces, continue to play a fundamental role in presenting contemporary art and innovative exhibitions. The gallery's work is part of a long tradition of hosting temporary exhibitions, offering visitors a high-quality alternative through bold projects and international collaborations. A key player in the contemporary art scene, Galerie Joseph is a point of reference for anyone wishing to discover art from a fresh perspective.
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