Don’t Miss TMoCA’s Exclusive Screening of the Captivating Picasso Documentary!

Experience the captivating world of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso through the lens of cinema with the upcoming screening of the 1956 French documentary film, “The Mystery of Picasso”, directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot. This remarkable film will be showcased at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) on Sunday, providing an extraordinary opportunity for art and film enthusiasts alike.

The screening, featuring Persian subtitles, will commence at 4 p.m. at the IAF’s cinematheque, as reported by Mehr. This 75-minute film is a unique exploration of Picasso’s creative process and offers viewers an insight into the mind of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.

In 1955, Clouzot collaborated with Picasso to create an innovative art film that aimed to capture the essence of creativity. They developed a groundbreaking technique that involved placing a camera behind a semitransparent surface. This allowed Clouzot to film Picasso’s artwork as it was created, resulting in a mesmerizing visual experience.

Throughout the film, Clouzot captures the reverse image of Picasso’s brushstrokes, transforming the motion-picture screen into the artist’s canvas. Viewers witness the master artist as he creates and sometimes obliterates twenty works of art, ranging from playful black-and-white sketches to vibrant color murals. The film showcases:

• Initial simple marker drawings in black and white
• Progression to full-scale collages and oil paintings
• Real-time filming of Picasso’s creation process
• Use of oil paints with a stop-motion effect to illustrate development

Notably, “The Mystery of Picasso” received the Special Jury Prize at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival and was later shown out of competition at the 1982 Festival, underscoring the film’s significance in the art and film communities.

Pablo Picasso, who lived from 1881 to 1973, was not just a painter but also a sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theater designer. Spending most of his adult life in France, he is celebrated for co-founding the Cubist movement and for his vast array of artistic styles. His contributions to modern art are unparalleled, influencing countless artists and movements.

Henri-Georges Clouzot, born in 1907 and passing away in 1977, was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his work in the thriller genre, with critically acclaimed films like “The Wages of Fear” (1953) and “Les Diaboliques” (1955). His direction in documentary filmmaking, particularly with “The Mystery of Picasso”, has been recognized as a national treasure by the French government.

The film screening coincides with the ongoing “Picasso in Tehran” exhibition at TMoCA. This exhibition narrates Picasso’s life and artistic evolution, showcasing 66 works from the TMoCA collection, and is open daily (except Mondays) until May 20. A highlight of this exhibition includes:

• 26 aquatint prints from the series “La Tauromaquia” (The Art of Bullfighting), previously unseen in Iran
• Celebrated works reflecting Picasso’s fascination with Spanish culture
• Artworks showcasing the dramatic spectacle of bullfighting

The “La Tauromaquia” series draws inspiration from José Delgado’s 18th-century book, which details the history and techniques of bullfighting. Known as Pepe Illo, Delgado was a famous matador, and his literary work serves as a significant reference in Spain’s bullfighting tradition. Picasso, who nurtured a passion for bullfighting from a young age, visually reinterpreted these historical accounts through his distinct artistic style.

Utilizing the aquatint technique, a printmaking process that creates rich tonal variations, Picasso’s prints evoke a dramatic and painterly effect. The minimalist yet expressive works feature bold black-and-white contrasts that highlight:

• The movement and tension of the bullfight
• The raw energy of the confrontation between matador and bull
• Swift, gestural lines that express the essence of the bullfight

His artistic depictions transcend mere illustration, offering abstract and emotionally charged representations of the spectacle. “La Tauromaquia” reflects Picasso’s lifelong fascination with themes of bulls and bullfighting, which appear throughout his body of work, including his renowned masterpiece “Guernica” (1937).

Join the celebration of art and film at TMoCA this Sunday, and immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Pablo Picasso and his artistic legacy.