Kenneth Clark Lecture Theatre, The Courtauld Institute of Art
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2

In his 1976 essay Science Fiction and Allied Literature, David Ketterer wrote ‘it is rather surprising that the considerable affinity which exists between Surrealism and SF has not attracted more attention.’ This observation was repeated in 1997 by Roger Bozzetto and Arthur B. Evans, who lamented that the relations between Surrealism and science fiction ‘continue to be largely unexplored in SF scholarship,’ and that ‘there currently exists no in-depth study of SF and Surrealism.’ As well as examining the points of contact and the differences and antagonisms that lie between Surrealism and science fiction, this conference is concerned with the related literature of comics, admired and exploited by Surrealists from the 1940s, and influenced in turn by the imagery, themes and styles of Surrealism and its art.

Papers will examine the reception of Surrealist imagery and ideas by SF and comics from the 1950s; analyse the nature of the relationship between Surrealism and SF; look at comics as a means towards challenging some of the deeply held beliefs of the Surrealists; and illuminate the Surrealists’ own attraction to early comics and their uses of the comic format after the Second World War up to the 1980s.

Organised by Dr Gavin Parkinson (The Courtauld Institute of Art)

Ticket/entry details: £15 (£10 concessions and Courtauld staff and students), includes coffee, and reception. Please send a cheque made payable to ‘Courtauld Institute of Art’ to: Research Forum Events Coordinator, The Courtauld Institute of Art Research Forum, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN, clearly stating that you wish to book for the ‘Surrealism, Science Fiction and Comics’. For credit card bookings call 020 7848 2785. For further information, send an email to ResearchForumEvents@courtauld.ac.uk