GRAND GUIGNOL: An Exhibition Celebrating The Legendary Parisian Theater of Terror
CENTURY GUILD . 23 October 2010 . 6-9pm (secret location)
Mutilation… Hysteria… Disease… They all made their home at Le Théâtre du Grand Guignol! The Grand Guignol was a 19th century Parisian theater that shocked and aroused audiences with productions blending macabre horror and flirtatious sex. Its legacy has inspired contemporary artists from all backgrounds including Tim Burton, Clive Barker, and Marilyn Manson. To celebrate its blood-soaked legacy, Chicago gallery Century Guild presents an exhibition honoring the legendary theater just in time for Halloween.
Century Guild was founded in 1999 by Thomas Negovan and Stuart Tomc, and since its inception, they have placed artworks in museums and top collections around the world. Works previously in the Century Guild inventory are on permanent display in The Art Institute of Chicago, The Detroit Institute of Arts, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Previously, Century Guild kept a low profile and only exhibited their works at select public events and exhibition as they focused on building an impressive inventory of important Art Nouveau and Symbolist artifacts. The Century Guild collection concentrates on antique posters, lithographs, and period pottery from Germany, Austria, France, and Italy 1880-1920, and includes the lithography of infamous artists such as Gustav Klimt, Alphonse Mucha, Egon Schiele, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. These artifacts are indisputably some of the most fabulous romantic and inspiring art anywhere — including very rare and very special posters from the early years of The Grand Guignol, so rare that many have not even been documented.
To celebrate both the opening of a new, Chicago-based showroom space as well as the most frightening night of the year, Century Guild pries open its steel doors and invites you to witness what will no doubt be one of the most grotesque displays of both antique poster and contemporary art, an exhibition inspired by the most notorious theater of all time: The Grand Guignol. Original and rare artifacts for The Grand Guignol as well as grim antique lithograph posters and works on paper by the likes of Gustav Klimt and Alphonse Mucha (turn of the century icons in the world of Secessionist and Art Nouveau art whose work continues to inspire) from Century Guild’s inventory will be exhibited along with notable contemporary talents: Dave McKean (groundbreaking multi-media artist best known for his work on Neil Gaiman’s legendary comic book series The Sandman and his feature film for the Jim Henson Company, MirrorMask), Gail Potocki (award winning Symbolist painter, “The Union of Hope & Sadness“), Chris Mars, Kent Williams, and more.
The exhibition will be a ONE-NIGHT ONLY event, featuring passed canapés and beverages. Because this event is sure to test the very sensibilities of even the most psychologically stable individual, no one under 18 will be permitted. Holiday-appropriate or formal attire encouraged. This is an invitation only event, RSVP required.
For more information and to R.S.V.P.:
inquiries [at] centuryguild.net, or contact Jack @ 800.616.2368
In addition to the show, an exhibition catalog is in the works. Currently, we’re rounding up support via the fantastic community-based fundraising website Kickstarter.com. To make a pledge, click the link below:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/337503446/grand-guignol-the-legendary-theater-of-terror-exhi?ref=search
The catalog will be 32 pages, full color and utilizes the same eco conscious printing techniques that our company has held in such high regard as with previous publications. It will be available for purchase at the exhibition, and thereafter online and at other Century Guild exhibitions. The run will be limited however, so be sure to get your copy soon.
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