René François Ghislain Magritte

Arts on the Air | 10.06.2009 | 16:30

New Brussels’ museum honours leading surrealist movement figure

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Brussels' New Magritte Museum

One of the leading figures of surrealist art movement, René François Ghislain Magritte, has finally been honoured with his own museum in Brussels.

The new museum opened to the public this month with more than 200 works by the painter who became famous for his thought-provoking images. It is the largest Magritte collection in the world, and in addition to his paintings, the museum shows letters, drawings and photographs of the Belgian artist.

Magritte started his career as a wallpaper designer and a fashion illustrator. His paintings often betray the artist's sense of humour and feature the juxtaposition of ordinary, surprising or erotic images. In many he appears himself in the guise of a man in a bowler hat.

Reporter: Mariana Schroeder

Arts on the Air | 10.06.2009 | 16:30

Backstage at Germany’s legendary Berlin Ensemble

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: The Berliner Ensemble theatre from inside

The legendary Berliner Ensemble, was founded by Bertolt Brecht and his wife Helene Weigel in 1949, following the much acclaimed production of his play Mother Courage.

This highly symbolic cultural institution, moved into the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm, Berlin in March 1954. Since 2000 Claus Peymann, has been director.

Cheryl Northey went backstage at the Berliner Ensemble to see if Claus Peymann, is still producing political theatre Brecht intended.