Surrealism
Surrealism
Surrealism started as a revolt against the intellect of Cubism, Formalist art, Art for Arts sake (Dada) and abstraction.
It is an attitude to life and society rather than a style of art.
It was a painting style that trapped the dream into physical existence.
Individualism and isolation was a core value of the movement. They investigated the mind for artistic inspiration.
Origins of Surrealism:
Andre Brenton:
Was dissatisfied with DADA
Wanted a more organized and realistic
He explored automatic righting and discussed the irrational and the accidental thought process in painting
He published a manifesto in 1924 (statement of ideas about the movement)
Was based on Freud the idea of the conscious mind struggling against the irrational and the unconscious
Implemented the idea that the individual is free to express their personal desires
Definition of Surrealism:
Thought is expressed with the absence of reason, aesthetic (visual), moral concerns. Surrealism emphasizes words more than the image and was dominated by the written works and ideas. The influence of Sigmund Freud:
Worked with Psychoanalysis, and how hypnosis allows an individual to remember emotional experiences that have been forgotten.
The importance of memories and experiences in the subconscious is core to Surrealism
Hypnosis liberates the imagination
Through the dream, reality is solved.
Political situation of the time:
Brenton was a communist
The surrealists were anarchists like the Dadaists of WW1
Surrealist thought that non-government was better(irrational vs the rational)
Russian revolution
INFLUENCES FOR SURREALISM
Tribal art
Dada : chance, irrational, illogical
Art of children and the mentally ill
Freud and Jung (importance of dreams and the symbols used to understand dreams)
Sub Themes:
The human condition: Surrealism deals with the subconscious, dreams and irrational thought
Influence of technology- Meaning
Surrealism started as a revolt against the intellect of Cubism, Formalist art, Art for Arts sake (Dada) and abstraction.
It is an attitude to life and society rather than a style of art.
It was a painting style that trapped the dream into physical existence.
Individualism and isolation was a core value of the movement. They investigated the mind for artistic inspiration.
Origins of Surrealism:
Andre Brenton:
Was dissatisfied with DADA
Wanted a more organized and realistic
He explored automatic righting and discussed the irrational and the accidental thought process in painting
He published a manifesto in 1924 (statement of ideas about the movement)
Was based on Freud the idea of the conscious mind struggling against the irrational and the unconscious
Implemented the idea that the individual is free to express their personal desires
Definition of Surrealism:
Thought is expressed with the absence of reason, aesthetic (visual), moral concerns. Surrealism emphasizes words more than the image and was dominated by the written works and ideas. The influence of Sigmund Freud:
Worked with Psychoanalysis, and how hypnosis allows an individual to remember emotional experiences that have been forgotten.
The importance of memories and experiences in the subconscious is core to Surrealism
Hypnosis liberates the imagination
Through the dream, reality is solved.
Political situation of the time:
Brenton was a communist
The surrealists were anarchists like the Dadaists of WW1
Surrealist thought that non-government was better(irrational vs the rational)
Russian revolution
INFLUENCES FOR SURREALISM
Tribal art
Dada : chance, irrational, illogical
Art of children and the mentally ill
Freud and Jung (importance of dreams and the symbols used to understand dreams)
Sub Themes:
The human condition: Surrealism deals with the subconscious, dreams and irrational thought
Influence of technology- Meaning