A Surrealist Stratigraphy of Dorothea Tanning’s Chasm

This critical study explores the literary work of Dorothea Tanning, emphasizing her short story Abyss and its significance in surrealism. A Surrealist Stratigraphy of Dorothea Tanning’s Chasm offers fresh insights.

In A Surrealist Stratigraphy of Dorothea Tanning’s Chasm, Catriona McAra presents the first critical examination of the literary contributions of the renowned American painter and sculptor Dorothea Tanning (1910–2012). This work addresses a significant gap in existing scholarship by placing Tanning’s writing at the forefront of her artistic legacy. McAra's analysis centers on Tanning's lesser-known short story, Abyss, which is infused with gothic elements and desert adventure, a piece that Tanning developed throughout her career and ultimately published in 2004 as Chasm: A Weekend.

The author conducts a thorough reassessment of the visual and literary foundations of the surrealist movement, employing an innovative methodological framework. By integrating insights from cultural theory and feminist aesthetics, along with Tanning's unpublished journals and notes, McAra sheds light on Tanning's pivotal role in both contemporary art and the historical surrealist landscape. This fresh perspective not only redefines Tanning's contributions but also enriches the understanding of surrealism as a whole.

*Catriona McAra’s work invites readers to reconsider the intersections of visual art and literature, highlighting the importance of Tanning’s narrative voice within the surrealist canon. By doing so, the book reestablishes Tanning as a vital figure in the evolution of modern art, making A Surrealist Stratigraphy of Dorothea Tanning’s Chasm an essential read for those interested in the complexities of artistic expression and feminist discourse in the 20th century.*