It’s no shock for me to write that I am a tad bit obsessed with the portrait/fashion/war/Surrealist photographer Lee Miller. While poking around for images of her still-intact home in England—the Farleys House—a place she shared with her husband, artist Sir Roland Penrose. It’s preserved as a house museum that you can visit!!!! Lets take the time to admire the home and its book collection, including some contemporary books I'd add to the group.
Oh, how fantastic. I love love x a zillion surrealism. How amazing to see her painting! Giorgio de Chirico, The Uncertainty of the Poet, 1913 (the bust and bananas). I don't know Otti Berger either. I think the only weaver I'm really familiar with is Anni Albers. Thanks for all these book recommendations! Wish I could zap over to France to see this exhibit.
P.S. I also signed up for Postcrossing thanks to the Pillow Though post! My first person is in Germany. <3
Also! YAY for Postcrossing!!! Germany is a really cool first destination. I was crossing my fingers I wouldn't get the US, but as soon as I saw Alaska, I was excited. I have never written to Alaska before!
It was such a tiny exhibit and I think if you google "Galerie Daniel Cordier Surrealisme 1959 E.R.O.S." or something similar, you might find all of the images!
If you're a Surrealism fan girl, you might love @giselledaydreams's Substack (https://substack.com/@giselledaydreams), as she often writes about that movement. She just wrote Miró post that I am behind on reading!!!
For my first letter, the woman said one of her favorite things is the Seattle Space Needle. It's such an insane coincidence because I used to live a couple of blocks from it and I am totally a nerd about its history. So I had the perfect card for her!!!! The world is always small.
Thank you times a million, Giselle! I have an ongoing mental note to read your recent Miró post this week. I always love reading your large doses of Surrealism!
Farley Farm is so amazing - I went a few years ago and it’s still so vivid in my memory. There is an incredible sculpture garden there too! Will be looking into Otti Berger now as well. Thanks for a lovely read!
Ohhh I am seriously heart-warmed knowing that you got to visit! And there's a sculpture garden too?! I am not that far from the UK so I really need to get myself up there.
Glad you enjoyed the intro to Otti. Happy learning/admiring! :)
I loved reading this and am so happy I could introduce you to Postcrossing! I spent last weekend writing touristy postcards on the beach and don't think I've been so happy in years. Your cards look and sound beautiful and the recipients will be very lucky to receive them!
I absolutely love The Lives of Lee Miller, but haven't made the time to research more about his other books. This is a really great reminder for me, thank you!!
I didn't realize until halfway through The Lives of Lee Miller that Anthony was her son! I honestly didn't even look at the author's name at the time, which is crazy because I would have at least made the Penrose connection. 😂
I didn't realize you lived in Toulouse! I love Les Abattoirs...unfortunately I don't get there often enough because when I go, it's always to see friends.
Oh wow, a retrospective at the Tate!!! Okay, maybe I'll save my UK visit for when this show opens and hit both places. Thank you for letting me know. :)
How did I now know about Farleys House?! And it's in Sussex! Have immediately put it on the weekend agenda upcoming for when we're down in Brighton. The only thing keeping me away from the Surrealist picnic is the fact I'll be in Canada...!
Oh, how fantastic. I love love x a zillion surrealism. How amazing to see her painting! Giorgio de Chirico, The Uncertainty of the Poet, 1913 (the bust and bananas). I don't know Otti Berger either. I think the only weaver I'm really familiar with is Anni Albers. Thanks for all these book recommendations! Wish I could zap over to France to see this exhibit.
P.S. I also signed up for Postcrossing thanks to the Pillow Though post! My first person is in Germany. <3
Also! YAY for Postcrossing!!! Germany is a really cool first destination. I was crossing my fingers I wouldn't get the US, but as soon as I saw Alaska, I was excited. I have never written to Alaska before!
It was such a tiny exhibit and I think if you google "Galerie Daniel Cordier Surrealisme 1959 E.R.O.S." or something similar, you might find all of the images!
If you're a Surrealism fan girl, you might love @giselledaydreams's Substack (https://substack.com/@giselledaydreams), as she often writes about that movement. She just wrote Miró post that I am behind on reading!!!
So happy I could get you into Postcrossing! You 're going to have so much fun.
Thank you for the intro, really! ❣️
For my first letter, the woman said one of her favorite things is the Seattle Space Needle. It's such an insane coincidence because I used to live a couple of blocks from it and I am totally a nerd about its history. So I had the perfect card for her!!!! The world is always small.
How cool is that?? Pure serendipity! 💕
This is a great post, I loved reading it! I’m also a Surrealism lover and I’m going to buy some of the books you recommended as well :)
Thank you times a million, Giselle! I have an ongoing mental note to read your recent Miró post this week. I always love reading your large doses of Surrealism!
Farley Farm is so amazing - I went a few years ago and it’s still so vivid in my memory. There is an incredible sculpture garden there too! Will be looking into Otti Berger now as well. Thanks for a lovely read!
Ohhh I am seriously heart-warmed knowing that you got to visit! And there's a sculpture garden too?! I am not that far from the UK so I really need to get myself up there.
Glad you enjoyed the intro to Otti. Happy learning/admiring! :)
I loved reading this and am so happy I could introduce you to Postcrossing! I spent last weekend writing touristy postcards on the beach and don't think I've been so happy in years. Your cards look and sound beautiful and the recipients will be very lucky to receive them!
This is soooo wonderful to read. I am still amazed that you've sent over 500!!
Me too! There are so many people on there who have sent thousands, it's wild.
Challenge accepted, I suppose! :)
Thanks for the house photos! Certainly on my list! Her son wrote a a few books on Lee, including one just focused on her war time. Highly recommend!
I absolutely love The Lives of Lee Miller, but haven't made the time to research more about his other books. This is a really great reminder for me, thank you!!
I didn't realize until halfway through The Lives of Lee Miller that Anthony was her son! I honestly didn't even look at the author's name at the time, which is crazy because I would have at least made the Penrose connection. 😂
Sweet! That’s the best book for sure!
I didn't realize you lived in Toulouse! I love Les Abattoirs...unfortunately I don't get there often enough because when I go, it's always to see friends.
!!!
Hello/bonjour/bonsoir to another American in the south of France!❣️Félicitations on thirty years here!
I have just signed up for Postcrossing!!
How fun!! Your recipients will be lucky!
Farleys is amazing - so worth a visit! Am v excited for the Tate’s big Lee Miller retrospective in late 2025 too.
Oh wow, a retrospective at the Tate!!! Okay, maybe I'll save my UK visit for when this show opens and hit both places. Thank you for letting me know. :)
How did I now know about Farleys House?! And it's in Sussex! Have immediately put it on the weekend agenda upcoming for when we're down in Brighton. The only thing keeping me away from the Surrealist picnic is the fact I'll be in Canada...!
Please, please, please go and let me know how it is!!
Looks like you'll have to make your own Surrealist Canadian picnic.