PHANTASMAGORIA A collection of fantastical, imaginary and dreamlike artworks RK Contemporary, Riebeek Kasteel 5 Dec 2021 – 27 Feb 2022 By Judy Woodborne www.rkcontemporary.com
Lynda Kropman, Phantasia, tin art, 31x38cm 2021
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hantasmagoria originating from the French “ fantasme & fantasmagorie” entered into use in the English language in the early 19th century and was the title of a London exhibition of optical illusions produced by “magic lanterns” in 1802. Fantastical, imaginative and dreamlike are all descriptions of this term as defined by Merriam-Webster. The phantasmagorical exists in the music of the cantata “Carmina Burana” (1936) by Carl Orff, “Le Rossignol” (The Nightingale), a musical fairytale in 3 acts (1908-14) by Igor Stravinsky and the work of Jacque Offenbach amongst others.
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In 1866, when journalist, Jules Vallès wrote “we have had our fill of gravitas and morality! Our thanks to those who have added generous handfuls of gaiety to counterbalance these scales”, he was referring to Jacques Offenbach’s “La Barbe bleu” the irreverent and frivolous operetta which stood in opposition to the “pompous, grandiose aesthetics of the Second Empire.” We took our cue from in creating the brief for invited artists to extend the challenge to create
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Vallès critique and this exhibition, we their creativity with anew, redefine, re-
