Remedios Varo: Science Fictions

by Caitlin Haskell (Editor), Lara Balikci (Contributor), Mary Broadway (Contributor)

An exploration of the captivating work and mystical outlook of the modern artist Remedios Varo, focusing on her years in Mexico City
 
This publication offers a definitive look at the artistic practice of Remedios Varo (1908–1963) following her emigration from Spain to Mexico City in 1941. Her work from 1955 to 1963 made a lasting contribution to modern art and the legacy of Surrealism. In Remedios Science Fictions , fresh historical and material findings establish the integral relationship between Varo’s layered interests—in alchemy, architecture, magic, mysticism, philosophy, and science—and her beguiling technical approach to art making. Essays detail specific works’ complex stories and spectacular surfaces. An illustrated taxonomy of Varo’s artistic techniques, including automatic mark making as well as careful manipulation of materials and media, offers new insights into the artist’s craft. An illustrated inventory of a major portion of Varo’s library—published here for the first time—reveals the artist’s engagement with a wide range of subjects. Stunning new photography of many of her artworks are presented within a dynamic geometric design inspired by the artist’s work. Situating Varo as a woman working in midcentury Mexico City and living among a tight-knit community of local and émigré artists, poets, and thinkers, the catalogue illuminates the complex worldview that shaped her search for individual and collective transcendence.
 
Distributed for the Art Institute of Chicago, in partnership with the Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City
 
Exhibition
 
Art Institute of Chicago
(July 29, 2023–November 27, 2023)
 

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography, Art History, History

184 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[Cynthia]

I AM SALIVATING!!!!!!

So many books talking about Remedios Varo are out of print or inaccessible to me, I’m gonna be BURIED with this one.

I WANT TO PREORDER IMMEDIATELY!!!

[Andrea Ole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative catalog of very brief articles of around three pages on twenty-five plus artworks from the show. This format came across to me as a graduate student exercise in art history where the assignment is to write a short article about one artwork and cite some primary and secondary sources. I'm eager to read a more in-depth analysis of Varo's art that develops some ideas at length. That said this is beautifully illustrated and made volume.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Varo’s paintings, though I’m not much for art writing. Not a lot of there there. This book is a bit of an exception. In addition to the gorgeous color plates, there is a good essay on the artist’s many techniques. I’ve always wondered how she created the textures she did using oil paints, and this book sheds some light on that process. Also, again, so lovely to look at!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful exploration and collection of interpretations of her work — Varo is a GENIUS. One of the main things this book highlighted for me about Varo was her equal interest in real scientific methodology alongside occult magic and tarot and mysticism. Pretty fascinating how she harmonized these “opposite” interests in her work!

I wish I could have been at the Art Institute of Chicago’s installation July-November 2023 😩

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most luxurious and luminous artbook I've ever seen.

Not necessarily a full biography on Remedios (which I'm still hungering for)... The strength of this book rest in the essays on craft and attention to super fine details within her artwork. With crisp full-page images that shine light on everything and anything to be imagined of her work.

Reading this was a magical experience to behold, esp since I have yet to have had the privileged of seeing her work irl.

This was a library borrow, but I don't think I'll be able to resist buying this for myself at the end of the year <3

[Chris Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary book, not only beautifully reproducing Varo’s art but giving incredibly important creative and historical context to her work. One of the best books of its kind and absolutely the book she deserves

[Gareth Schweitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with a good balance of historical context and insight into Varo’s working methods.

[Tony Gualtieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is impeccable, but the essays are repetitious.

[Philip Athans · Rating 5 out of 5]

The paintings themselves are spectacular. I wish there was more of the artist’s work and far less of the curators’ dry, academic text.

[ISRA · Rating 4 out of 5]

75% technical and the other 25% personal narrative. In some portions the art detail is a bit too dense however the themes and voice of Varo are elucidated well.

[Jenina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel let in to Varo’s enchantment

I owe so much of my way of seeing and thinking from Spanish and having me do a small little essay on Varo is one of the many things I’m grateful to enter into

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed look into Remedios Varo's paintings, content and especially technique. The biography includes her various friendships with the Surrealists in Europe and Mexico.

[Damian Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essays in this book are generally excellent. There are elements of Varo's paintings, which I've been familiar with for 50 of my 53 years, that I'd never noticed until they were pointed out here, including the erupting volcano shown in the Flautist, visible on the cover. Highly recommended!