Dark Spring (Tribute to Unica Zürn)

Unica Zürn (6 July 1916 in Berlin-Grunewald 1970 in Paris) was a German author and painter. She is remembered for her works of anagram poetry, exhibitions of automatic drawing, and her photographic collaborations with Hans Bellmer. Zürn began writing after World War II, writing short stories and radio plays. In 1953 she met surrealist painter Hans Bellmer in Berlin. She moved with him to Paris, becoming his partner and model. Together with Hans Bellmer, Unica Zürn frequented surrealist circles and befriended people such as Man Ray, André Pieyre de Mandiargues, Henri Michaux and Max Ernst. From 1957 onwards she suffered from depression and was treated at various clinics in France. One of her doctors was Gaston Ferdière, a friend of the surrealists, who was also psychiatrist to Antonin Artaud. Her illness inspired much of her writing, above all 'Der Mann im Jasmin', written between 1963 and 1965.
She killed herself in 1970 by leaping from the window of the apartment she shared with Bellmer.
Music by Diamanda Galas, 'Gloomy Sunday'.
Sadly one Sunday, I waited and waited
With flowers in my arms, for the grief I'd created
I waited 'til dreams like my heart were all broken
The flowers were all dead and the words were unspoken
The grief that I knew was beyond all consoling
The beat of my heart was a bell that was tolling
Saddest of Sundays
Then came the Sunday when you came to find me
They brought me to church and I left you behind me
My eyes would not see what I wanted to love me
The earth and the flowers of the lover above me*
The bell tolled for me and the wind whispered 'never'
But you I have loved and I bless you forever
Last of all Sundays

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Unica
• Zürn
• hans
• bellmer

[monotropic83]

Photo at 1:40 is most probably taken in the late 40's, perhaps so much as five or six years before Bellmer had even met Unica. And at this time Nora's hair was indeed long. Sorry for being so picky.

[shivabel]

I appreciate your scrupulosity. I've checked all the possible sources (i did not remember where i took this photo) and at last i've found the date: 1947, and her name is...Nora Mitrani. You're right! I'm sorry with you and with all the people who have watched this video. I believed she were Unica, erroneously. It's my mistake! By the way, i thank you for your attention.

[monotropic83]

Isn't that Nora Mitrani at 1:40 ?? Bellmer had several muses you know.

[shivabel]

I don't think she's Nora Mitrani, because Nora did not wore hair very long. I think she's just Unica.

[fujsymbad]

al 2:28 se ho capito bene c'è il ritratto di Hans Bellmer. Immagino sia stato un amore difficile. Dipendenza dall'amore, dipendenza ai farmaci, anche lei una donna perduta.

[shivabel]

Sì, sono due disegni di Bellmer. Della Zurn in italiano sono disponibili solo 'Due diari', mentre 'L'uomo nel gelsomino' è esaurito da anni. Per non parlare di 'Oscura Primavera', mai tradotto qui da noi (per quanto ne so).

[Qadesh86]

Tra i tuoi infiniti video...questo mi era sfuggito! Stupendo, Andrea **********

Lei è bellissima, tra l'altro!

[SpokenFromTheHeart1]

This is excellent.

She has done such a beautiful work.

Thank you Andrea for telling us about this and for sharing !

[alrovelldelou]

Stupendo video

Creato in modo originale ed artistico.

Complimenti !

[almacattleya]

grazie mille shivabel, non conoscevo quest'artista. alcune sue opere mi ricordano l'art brut, l'arte grezza. Comunque mi hanno incantata, il surrealismo mi incanta perché parla dell'inconscio...