Simple key points as well as a deeper understanding of this art movement can be found in this document. The most influential artists of this movement as well as their works have been analysed and images of each artwork is shown (three artists and two works per artist). Information is taken from the...
Surrealism (1920 - 1939)
● The Surrealists sought to channel the unconscious as a means to unlock the power of
the imagination. Believe that the rational mind suppresses the imagination.
● Two styles: automatism (abstract) and verism (true to life).
● Rejecting rationalism and realism
● Influenced by psychoanalysis - The Interpretation of Dreams (1899) by Freud
● Believe that the rational mind (conscious) suppresses the imagination.
● Influenced by Dada - anything goes, no rules
● Psychic automatism - free association like free writing to bypass conscious mind
● All artists of this movement have their own unique style and recurring motifs / symbols
● Juxtaposition of normal objects
● Often unknown landscapes with a quiet, eerie atmosphere.
● Max Ernst was obsessed with birds and had a bird alter ego.
● Salvador Dalí's works often include ants or eggs.
● Joan Miró relied strongly on vague biomorphic imagery.
Background:
Many Dada artists went on to become Surrealists. Surrealism was under the leadership of
Andrè Breton, who felt that Dada was too absurd and destructive. Breton chose the name
Surrealism, meaning beyond or above reality, to describe spontaneous writing. Surrealism rests
on the belief in the superior reality of certain forms of association, in the omnipotence of the
dream, and the disinterested play of thought.
Influences:
● Hieronimous Bosch, Henry Fuseli, Goya and Symbolist artists.
● Strongly influenced by the art of children and of the mentally disturbed.
Modern psychology claims that reason and logical thoughts are only a superstructure of
human thought. The importance of the subconscious part of the human brain was developed
through the theories and psycho-analysis of Sigmund Freud (1856- 1939). All human
activities are influenced by the subconscious. Freud's writing made it clear to the Surrealists that
the subconscious, instincts and dreams are an integral part of human beings. According to
Freud, certain experiences, usually negative ones, are forced into the subconscious leading to
all kinds of complexes. In his writings Freud also explored themes like the role of sexuality,
especially the way in which childhood sexuality affects later adult behaviour.
Characteristics:
The Surrealists found a new basis for art in:
● The rule of illogic, rather than logic
● The importance of the dream world, rather than the rational waking world.
● The Surrealists derived their art from the subconscious and the most common themes in
their paintings are those which are often suppressed in the conscious mind, namely to
do with sexuality, violence and death.
, ● Freud's view that man's sexual fantasies appear in dream images influenced the
Surrealists and they often used symbols with a sexual connotation for example, fruit
(female) or columns (male).
● Surrealism wanted to escape and conquer the chaos of their times by using a power that
is higher than reality, namely the surreality.
● Surrealism was a view of life and a state of mind.
Automatism:
Automatism was the Surrealist technique of free association. A new form of abstract art was
developed. It is characterised by organic, biomorphic and amoeba-like shapes. The
subconscious mind creates colours, lines and shapes in a hypnotic condition. They used
automatism by starting to draw or paint without any preconceived ideas to create chance
effects.
Specific techniques:
● Frottage - rubbings with a piece of paper on a textured surface
● Decalcomania - where black paint is spread on a sheet of paper, and another sheet is
pressed down lightly on top, and then carefully lifted off just before the paint dries.
● Automatic handwriting - where one starts to draw without a preconceived idea and
then identifies symbols and figures in the drawing.
● Mixtures of oil, water and paint resulted in spontaneous effects. These could then be
transformed into images by using the rational mind.
Salvador Dali (1904 –1989)
● Spanish Surrealist artist renowned for his technical skill, dream-like paintings, precise
draughtsmanship and the striking and bizarre images in his work.
● He was involved in Dada initially. He was also involved in film, sculpture and
photography.
● Outrageous and eccentric behaviour. His public actions sometimes drew more attention
than his artwork. He wore extraordinary clothes, grew and waxed an outrageous
moustache.
● His work shows a precise realist technique combined with discordant luminous
colour. In his work a commonplace object gradually becomes a nightmare object.
The Persistence of Memory, 1931, oil on canvas:
● Dali creates a barren space where time stands still. A strange never-setting sun
illuminates the landscape.
● The cliffs are based on reality. An amorphous creature sleeps in the foreground. This
could be the face of Dali. Dali has draped this creature with a limp pocket watch.
● Another watch hangs from the branch of a dead tree that grows out of a block-like
architectural form.
● A third watch hangs half over the edge of this rectangular form, beside a small watch.
Ants swarm mysteriously over the small watch, while a fly walks on the face of the
neighbouring watch. It is as if these watches were organic and decaying.
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