A cinematic glimpse into the home and mind of one of the most fascinating Surrealist artists of the 20th century.
In the short film Meret Lives Here, director Matteo Lonardi explores the house of Swiss Surrealist artist Meret Oppenheim. At Casa Costanza in the village of Carona, artworks, found objects and everyday items still seem to carry the spirit of the artist.
Almost unchanged since Oppenheim’s death in 1985, the house stands as a reflection of her state of mind. Curiosity, discipline and a quiet defiance of convention are embedded in its rooms and objects. The surroundings of Casa Costanza inspired many of her most iconic works, where ordinary domestic items were transformed into surreal, poetic and often provocative sculptures and assemblages.
“Walking through Meret Oppenheim’s home today feels like entering her state of mind. I was drawn not only to the objects and rooms, but to the sense that Meret never fully left.”
— Matteo Lonardi
Together with Oppenheim’s niece Lisa Wegner, the custodian of the artist’s legacy, Lonardi explores the house as a mirror of her inner world. Between memories of 1930s Paris – where Oppenheim moved among artists such as Max Ernst and Man Ray – and her refusal to be confined by labels, the film creates an intimate portrait of the artist.
The documentary connects the poetic contradictions of Casa Costanza with the freedom and wit that defined Oppenheim’s artistic practice. Through the objects, furniture and artworks preserved in her home, her creative spirit continues to resonate today.
