Surrealism
Surrealism as a movement was officially formed in 1924 when Dadaist writer Andre Breton wrote the surrealism manifesto. Surrealism had however began forming from as early as 1917. (history, 2018)The Surrealism movement was formed out of the Dada movement but whilst dada sought to deliberately contradict and stir up the societal norms of society, surrealism sought to deliberately stir up the unconscious mind to unleash the capacity of the psyche (britannica, n.d.), in some regard to subconsciously spark the psyche into realizing faults and inconsistencies of society and hopefully produce a change or revolution as a result. (theartstory, n.d.)
The movement (although not aggressively so) was anti rationalist, as they believed that rationalism was what led European society into the atrocities of World War 1. (artland, n.d.)
Surrealism as an artistic movement is notably one of the most cross-sectorial and inclusive movements, as it is not characterized by a specific medium or style but rather characterized by the philosophical approach (which places emphasis on unlocking the capacity of the psyche, and subconsciously sparking change) (artland, n.d.)
(tumblr, n.d.)
The above Surrealism movement piece was created by Rene Magritte in 1937. This piece depicts a man in a suit looking in a mirror, however he is not seeing his reflection as he should, instead he sees the back of his own head and upper body. Magritte’s piece conveys how the man is so busy with his everyday life(hence his suit) that he is unable to reflect(looking into the mirror) on who he is(as a person) furthermore when he attempts to do so, he notices that he actually doesn’t want to reflect about himself(hence why his “reflection” is not just blocked/hidden but is deliberately turning its back to him). This surrealist piece’s use of strong imagery(with strong connotations and symbolism) highlights how(in adherence to the surrealism ideals and philosophy) it aims to deliberately stimulate the imagination of whoever sees it, with a specific subconscious message, in an attempt to make a societal change.
(desertislandcomics, 2016)
The above contemporary piece is a piece by Erik Sandberg. This piece depicts a woman who is unzipping several skin suits. Sandberg’s piece conveys how throughout the course of the day this woman is so busy trying to make it by that she covers her true self and embodies so many persona’s (represented by the skin suits) that by the end of the day when she has got to undress (and be alone with herself) than she has to go through a whole process of becoming her true self(being her true persona).This piece, like Magritte’s, places emphasis on identity of self in the midst of living ones everyday life and the way one views themselves (or tries too). Just like Magritte’s piece this piece subconsciously stirs up ones imagination in an attempt to make a change within the individual and society.
Bibliography
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theartstory, n.d. theartstory. [Online]
Available at: https://www.theartstory.org/movement/surrealism/
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tumblr, n.d. tumblr. [Online]
Available at: https://thecoleopterawithana.tumblr.com/post/188216744065/the-surrealist
[Accessed 04 September 2021].
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desertislandcomics, 2016. desertislandcomics. [Online]
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[Accessed 04 September 2021].
Available at: https://desertislandcomics.tumblr.com/post/141041216502/heres-a-detail-of-an-erik-thor-sandberg-painting
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artsy, 2019. artsy. [Online]
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[Accessed 01 September 2021].
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[Accessed 01 September 2021].
