The Swedenborg Archive: Book launch and exhibition at the Frith Street Gallery

December 12, 2017

Stephen McNeilly

On Thursday 7th of December 2017 the Swedenborg Society launched its latest title from the Swedenborg Archive Series, An Evening of Dreams. Transcribed from a conference held at Swedenborg House in 2015, this small volume contains essays by Homero Aridjis, Eva Hoffman, Darian Leader, Tom McCarthy and Selina Mills, with an Introduction by Chloe Aridjis. In conjunction with the launch of this title the Society also staged an exhibition of rare items from it’s archive and collection at the beautiful Frith Street Gallery, Soho.

The exhibition—for one evening only and displayed over two floors—comprised of many previously unseen items from the Swedenborg archive including an original letter by S T Coleridge; a signed card by R W Emerson; a fragment of Swedenborg’s blotting paper; a typescript poem and letter by the Welsh Poet Vernon Watkins; a poster by Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller; new art by our current artist in Residence Bridget Smith; a painting by Peter Cartwright; a wax bust of Swedenborg by John Flaxman; and several other unique framed pieces.

Many thanks are extended to Jane Hamlyn for making the event possible, to Bridget Smith, Peter Cartwright and other artists involved and also to the excellent Frith Street technicians who hung the work. Fuller details of the launch and book will be posted shortly. The installation views below were taken just before the launch.

Installation view, ground floor: Swedenborg’s Blotting paper (above right): J J G Wilkinson’s chair (above middle)Installation view ground floor: Swedenborg’s Blotting paper (above left): Dream Drawing by J J G Wilkinson (above right)Installation view ground floor: UntitledInstallation view, ground floor: Wax bust of Swedenborg by John Flaxman (above left): letter by S T Coleridge (above right)Installation view, basement: Poster (above right): offset print by unknown artist (above left)

Installation view, basement: 4 offset prints by unknown artist (above left): Untitled, Peter Cartwright (above right)Installation view, basement: ‘Dwelling’ by Bridget Smith (above)Installation view, basement: 4 offset prints by unknown artist (above left): poster by Jeremy Deller and Karl Holmqvist (above right)Installation view, basement: a series of offset prints by unknown artist

Book: An Evening of Dreams, £6.95. Essays by Homero Aridjis, Eva Hoffman, Darian Leader, Tom McCarthy and Selina Mills. Introduction by Chloe Aridjis. Edited by Stephen McNeilly. To purchase, follow this link:

http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/bookshop/new_releases/an_evening_of_dreams

Exhibition: Curated by Stephen McNeilly. Including works by: Peter Cartwright; S T Coleridge; Jeremy Deller; John Flaxman; Karl Holmqvist; Bridget Smith; Emanuel Swedenborg; Vernon Watkins; J J G Wilkinson.

Photos © Stephen McNeilly