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Still from 'Nosferatu, a symphony of terror', a film by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau from 1922

CaixaForum's terrifying journey into the soul of the vampires

The exhibition places the cinema as the main narrative axis, but also includes literary works and the appearance of the character in other artistic disciplines.

Many filmmakers, from Polanski to Coppola, Burton, Dreyer, Tourneur and Herzog, have been tempted to bring to the big screen the figure of the vampire, a character we already find in the superstitions of ancient Greece and Rome, which became popular in Central Europe during the Middle Ages, and which the scientific writings of the 18th century and the English romantic novels of the 19th century spread even more widely. But undoubtedly the absolute internationalization came with the Seventh Art, and the expressionist film Nosferatu, which in a couple of years will celebrate its centenary, opened the way for an intense relationship between cinema and vampires, and not only with Dracula, undoubtedly the most famous character of this category. CaixaForum goes into the darkness and brings to light the temporary exhibition Vampirs. L'evolució del mite, from October 29th, a complete approach to how this figure has been brought to the screen, bringing together a selection of the maelstrom of films that the myth has given rise to.

Curated by Matthieu Orléan, artistic collaborator of Le Cinématèque Française - the institution co-organising the exhibition, with CaixaForum -, the exhibition will also take visitors on a complete tour of the fundamental literary works with the vampire as the main character, and will recall iconic works of art and other documents that are related to the character, such as some engravings from Goya's The Whims or the image of Dracula played by Bela Lugosi used by Andy Warhol in the lithograph entitled The Kiss. Among the many pieces on display, mythomaniacs will surely enjoy knowing that there are original dresses and masks used in well-known films and by famous performers.

More information about the exhibition and the parallel activities that will be organised can be found at this link.

Publication date: Monday, 26 October 2020
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