Surrealism

Surrealism

Surrealism

Introduction

Surrealism is a cultural movement that can be traced back to the 1920's, and had the most influence on the art scene of the time as its visual artworks were of the likes that had been unheard of. Surrealist prose was also quite impactful; it generated a wave of writers who worked well according to the standards set by the surrealist movement. Surrealist works are often know to use the element of surprise, for example, artworks would often have peculiarly balanced but nonetheless unexpected juxtapositions, but most writers and artists would claim to being representatives of a philosophical movement before an art movement, as they believed Surrealism could very well pass as a revolution, judging by its abruptness and the diversity it brought forward into the culture and civilization of the time. The Surrealist Leader Andre Breton was especially assertive about this fact, and paved the way for future artists to treat it as the same.

The movement was a direct result of the Dada movement that took place during World War I. . This was a politically charged movement that expressed its disgust with the war and its implications, as well as the disappointments of life in general. European culture was slowly becoming drab and monotonous by the early 20th century, and this was depicted through the unsatisfied artists, showing how the culture around them had lost all meaning. Art would often have violent undertones and suggest unease and combat or protests as its subjects. De la Croix stated that “Dada was born out of what is hated”. Nonconformity was the underlying theme of the art movement and it came to a head in 1922, after having paved the way for Surrealist artists. This movement was slightly more organized then Dada, but since the after effects of war were still being left, Surrealism would often use the topic of war and the disorient surrounding it during its early stages.

After the 1920's the Surrealist movement picked up its pace with artists emerging left, right and centre. These artists had managed to capture the vision of Andre Breton in a succinct manner. Not only this, the movement was embraced globally, with surrealist works being translated into other languages as well as distinct effects over the music, film, and visual arts movements. Political thought, philosophy and its practice, as well as social theory was utilized during Surrealism. It was somewhat of a breath of fresh air after the harrowing effects of the war.

Discussion

Surrealism was a heterogeneous movement from the moment it started, spurring writers, painters poets and photographers. This later diversified further to include films and objects. In layman terms, Surrealism is defined as portraying a “psychic automatism in its pure state by which we propose to express- verbally, in writing, or in any other manner- the real process of thought. The dictation of thought, in the absence of any control exercised by reason and outside any aesthetic or moral concerns” (Leslie 59). It followed the road of nonconformity as laid down by ...