In 2019, the Vitra Design Museum published Objects of Desire: Surrealism and Design 1924 – Today, a catalogue for an exhibition of the same title. This catalogue investigates the crucial impact that the Surrealist movement has had on design. It is original in its broad historical scope, canvassing the 1920s to the present day. Elegantly designed, it includes seven scholarly essays by curators and academics. These are followed by a comprehensive selection of images juxtaposing notable Surrealist artworks and design objects from the exhibition. Both the catalogue and exhibition explore how the Surrealist movement helped liberate design from convention and functionalist dogma by amplifying and exploring the psychological impact of designed objects.

This autumn, the Objects of Desire exhibition will be held at the Design Museum in London. Surrealism and Design Now will accompany the show as a companion book which will complement – and not compete with – the original catalogue. This book will be a concise, affordable and visually striking publication, aiming overall to embody the inventiveness and boldness of Surrealism in its design and production.

Instead of being a traditional catalogue, the book will focus on key themes and objects from the exhibition and expand upon them. It will also contain the bulk of new objects and exhibits that are specific to the exhibition at the Design Museum. The book will be divided into five thematic chapters, each taking a notable object from the exhibition as its starting point. Commissioned essays by renowned writers, including Glenn Adamson and Susanna Brown, will introduce each object and theme, followed by a richly illustrated series of plates featuring highlights from the London show. Each chapter will conclude with interviews with a diverse range of designers and artists, from Tim Walker to Audrey Large, showing Surrealism’s enduring legacy and impact on contemporary design. Bringing together an exciting roster of current practitioners in this edition will further the Design Museum’s mission to invite designers to ‘think in public’ and to serve the design community.