Bois des Iles/Precious woods 1937

Editor: This is "Bois des Iles/Precious woods" by Nusch Éluard. It's a photomontage, quite small. I'm struck by the juxtaposition of these ethereal figures with the very real-looking fish. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Éluard’s work, especially within the Surrealist movement, often challenged conventional representation. How might this image, with its blend of dreamlike fantasy and recognizable forms, reflect the socio-political tensions of the time? Editor: I guess it's about breaking down barriers, especially the roles for women as the figures looks like free sprites. Curator: Precisely. And consider the title – "Bois des Iles/Precious Woods." It evokes a sense of exoticism, but also perhaps a commentary on the commodification of nature and the female form within a patriarchal society. Editor: That makes me think about the power dynamics at play here. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it encourages us to question the established order.