Animaux fantastiques

Abstract

"Fantastic animals hold a discreet but constant place in our contemporary imaginations, as evidenced by their presence in works as different as Harry Potter or Game of Thrones. Their hybrid nature and monstrous appearance provoke fascination and repulsion, but, unlike humanoid monsters, they are considered creatures that man can tame, even domesticate. This exhibition questions the origin and functions of these ambiguous creatures, in turn images of terror and attraction inspired by the divine, the transcendent and the unknown, or expression of our camouflaged unconscious, incarnations of our anxieties or our nostalgia for the marvelous. This exhibition will show the adventures and tribulations of iconic figures such as the sphinx, the dragon, the griffin, the unicorn, or the phoenix in a transcultural (and transmedia) approach, through works and objects of art, architecture, literature, music and movie theater. The aim is to give a wide audience new keys to understanding mythical, even legendary figures, whose origins are often ignored"--Cultura.