Surreal Things was the first exhibition to examine the impact of surrealism on architecture, design and the decorative arts. It presented a new approach to the subject, focusing on the creation of surrealist objects, whether unique works of art or examples of modern design.

Newangle were asked to consult on the integration of audiovisual media into the V&A’s critically acclaimed exhibition on design and surrealism called Surreal Things, which was subsequently re-designed for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Using archive material from a variety of sources, Newangle edited and produced various programmes that range from ambient video loops of clouds to animated sequences.

The Bestegui display consisted of three large projections presenting an immersive exploration of the Bestegui apartment designed by Le Corbusier. The middle screen held the main narrative content, while the two adjacent screens showed images that augmented the journey with alternative views and close ups of the apartment’s detail.

Max Ernst designed a bed for dreaming and it was displayed in an enclosed space. Purpose built shadows, created through projected media, appear to be cast by the bed and other objects.  The shadows start to animate in a loop, growing around the bed and across the wall, morphing into creeping vines and surrealist text.