Wandering Dreams of early 20th-century travel posters

Credit: Ti Gong

"Wandering Dreams: Modern Reflections on Early 20th-Century Travel Posters" is displayed at The Miguel de Cervantes Library in Shanghai.

This exhibition showcases travel posters created by Spanish artists between the 1920s and 1940s, inspired by a sense of romanticism. These artworks evoke classic imagery that continues to shape our imagination of travel, offering a glimpse into a time before the birth of modern tourism.

Curated by Wang Ruhui, the exhibition takes a groundbreaking approach by weaving these posters together with the poetry of the Generation of '27 (Generación del 27), a literary movement that revolutionized Spanish poetry during the same period.

Like a continuous symphony, the interplay between visual and poetic imagery explores the elusive essence that compels us to embark on a journey – something desirable yet just out of reach.

As a Shanghai-based exhibition, it also highlights the connections between China and Spain through travel posters and poetry from the same era, inviting visitors to see, read, listen, and reflect – immersing themselves in a journey of artistic and literary exploration.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Hidalgo de Caviedes, Hipólito, 'La Granja Palace, Castilla y León, 1929, Image Courtesy of the Spanish Tourism Authority

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Morelli Macías, Josep. Spain, 1940, Image Courtesy of the Spanish Tourism Authority

Between the 1920s and 1940s, advancements in transportation made travel more accessible to the general public, with visits to picturesque destinations no longer a privilege reserved for the elite. This shift inspired a wave of artistic creativity, giving rise to a unique visual culture – the travel poster.

Acting as windows to the world, these posters romanticized travel, shaping its perception through vivid and imaginative designs.

In Spain, large-scale tourism campaigns began in 1928, spearheaded by the National Tourism Board under the leadership of Pedro Salinas.

A key figure of the Generation of 1927, Salinas not only played a crucial role in modernizing Spanish poetry but also pioneered innovation in visual arts. The posters featured in this exhibition, created by avant-garde artists, go beyond mere representation of reality, instead exploring new visual languages and dreamlike imagery.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Josep Morelli Macías, "Guipúzcoa Beach, Basque Country," 1940, Image Courtesy of the Spanish Tourism Authority

Through this visual journey, visitors are transported to different cities as envisioned by early 20th-century artists, experiencing these destinations through their artistic imagination. The exhibition intertwines the evolution of modernity in both visual and literary arts in Spain.

Adding another layer of cross-cultural dialogue, five original vintage Shanghai travel posters will be showcased alongside their Spanish counterparts, creating a fascinating artistic connection between the two cultures.