Description

Manuscript of a talk given by André Breton in May 1935 in Tenerife

In this text in Breton’s handwriting, comprised of notes and references to quotes and clearly intended to be read, Breton appears in the third person. It is possible to suppose that this was a draft of the speech given in his place at the Circulo de amistad XIV de abril by Agustin Espinosa. The idea of the development of a collective myth, central in Breton’s thoughts at this date, appears as one of the necessary connections between surrealism and revolutionary action; a connection which of course constitutes an alternative to the intolerable submission of the artist to politics. [Atelier André Breton Website, 2005]

Handwritten manuscript, 1935.
- An 11-pages manuscript in-12 format, the first 9 foliated on headed paper from different establishments in Tenerife.
This working manuscript takes stock of Breton’s surrealist campaign in the Canaries:
“At this poetic point of Spain-Tenerife we have come to fix our position for future action, with its concrete conclusions: this position is a function of the general tone of intellectual values. Madrid, on a literary and artistic level, has done nothing other than spray its confusion, disorientation, madness and Salon illiteracy onto the intellectual pettiness of the provinces. All the old junk peddlers have arranged to meet in the capital of Spain.” (Some missing paper). [Auction catalogue, 2003]

Translated by Christina Heflin

Creation date	mai-35
Bibliographical material	11 pages in-12 - manuscript - blue and black ink on beige paper; on the back various headings
Languages	French
Reference	440000
Breton Auction, 2003	Lot 2201
Keywords	Speeches, Aesthetic, Politics, Surrealism, Tenerife
Categories	Andre Breton's Manuscripts
Set	[Albums] Album Prague Ténérife circa 1935, [AB's Manuscripts] Miscellaneous Manuscripts
Exhibitions	Exposition internationale du Surréalisme de Ténérife , Discours du 23 mai 1935
Permanent link	https://www.andrebreton.fr/en/work/56600100765310

Description

Manuscript of a text by André Breton written on May, 1935 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Thursday, 23 May 1935. After arriving in Tenerife with Jacqueline and Péret, Breton spoke at the Circle of Friendship of 14 April (Circulo de amistad XIV abril). Since he did not speak Spanish, he only gave an introduction for Augustin Espinosa's speech, summarising his position as explained in the talk he gave in Prague in April ("The Political Position of Art Today"). Here, Breton straightforwardly insisted on the need for a common front against fascism. The manuscript also has a graphite portrait of Péret and the "Declaration of the Arrival at Tenerife", written at the very beginning of May. [Atelier André Breton website, 2005]

Handwritten Manuscript, May 1935
- 1 page in-12 in green ink with several strike-outs and corrections relating to the speech. [auction catalogue, 2003, translation by Christina Heflin, 2023]

Bibliography

- André Breton, (Édition de Marguerite Bonnet avec la collaboration de Philippe Bernier, Étienne-Alain Hubert et José Pierre), Inédits I, Œuvres complètes, tome II, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, Paris, Gallimard, 1992, pages 581-582

 

Creation date	23/05/1935
Languages	French
Place of origin	Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Ténérife, Espagne
Reference	437000
Breton Auction, 2003	Lot 2198
Keywords	Speeches, Work notes, Politics, Tenerife
Categories	Manuscripts, Andre Breton's Manuscripts
Set	[Albums] Album Prague Ténérife circa 1935, [AB's Manuscripts] Miscellaneous Manuscripts
Exhibition	Discours du 23 mai 1935
Permanent link	https://www.andrebreton.fr/en/work/56600101002608

Description

Manuscript of a speech given by André Breton on 23 May, 1935 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Thursday, 23 May 1935. After arriving in Tenerife with Jacqueline and Péret, Breton spoke at the Circle of Friendship of 14 April (Circulo de amistad XIV abril). Since he did not speak Spanish, he only gave an introduction for Augustin Espinosa's speech, summarising his position as explained in the talk he gave in Prague in April ("The Political Position of Art Today"). Here, Breton straightforwardly insisted on the need for a common front against fascism. The manuscript also has a graphite portrait of Péret and the "Declaration of the Arrival at Tenerife", written at the very beginning of May. [Atelier André Breton website, 2005]

Handwritten Manuscript, undated [May 1935]
- 2 pages in-12, ink, foliated with strike-outs and corrections by Breton.
Text for speech given by Breton at the "Circulo de amistad de XIV abril" in Puerto de la Cruz on 23 May 1935 on the theme "Art and Politics".
Double portrait in graphite depicting the face of Benjamin Péret asleep.
- 1 page in-12 in green ink with several strike-outs and corrections relating to the speech. [auction catalogue, 2003, translation by Christina Heflin, 2023]

 

Bibliography

- André Breton, (Édition de Marguerite Bonnet avec la collaboration de Philippe Bernier, Étienne-Alain Hubert et José Pierre), Inédits I, Œuvres complètes, tome II, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, Paris, Gallimard, 1992, pages 582-584

 

Creation date	23-mai-35
Languages	French
Place of origin	Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Ténérife, Espagne
Reference	437000
Breton Auction, 2003	Lot 2198
Keywords	Speeches, portraits, Tenerife
Categories	Andre Breton's Manuscripts
Set	[Albums] Album Prague Ténérife circa 1935, [AB's Manuscripts] Miscellaneous Manuscripts
Exhibition	Discours du 23 mai 1935
Permanent link	https://www.andrebreton.fr/en/work/56600100173650

See also