SURREALISM 101
Salvador Dalí, The Persistence of Memory (1931)
Surrealism, a groundbreaking artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, sought to unravel the mysteries of the human subconscious and challenge the boundaries of reality. Born amidst the tumultuous aftermath of World War I, surrealism was catalyzed by André Breton's "Manifesto of Surrealism" in 1924, which espoused a rebellion against conventional thought, embracing the power of dreams, automatism, and the irrational. Through captivating visual arts, literature, and other mediums, surrealism's luminaries like Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Joan Miró and Max Ernst, among others, embarked on a profound exploration of the fantastical, ushering forth a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire generations.
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CHARACTERISTICS:
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Salvador Dali, The Eye of Surrealist Time (1971)
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Surrealism Taschen |
Archipenko: International Visionary Vintage |
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Lenora Carrington, And Then We Saw the Daughter of the Minotaur (1942)
- Pablo Picasso
- Georges Braque
- Paul Cézanne
- Robert Delaunay
- Fernand Léger
- Joan Miró
- Juan Gris
- Alexander Archipenko
- André Martin
Man Ray, Dora Maar (1936 )
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Gray Twin by Lex Pavone |
Evil Eye Brass Lamp Vintage |
"SURREALISM IS DESTRUCTIVE, BUT IT DESTROYS ONLY WHAT IT CONSIDERS TO BE SHACKLES LIMITING OUR VISION."- SALVADOR DALI |
Joan Miró, Cahiers d'Art (1934)
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Sway Sculpture by Tara Rad |
Saguaro Doris Josovitz |
The movement was officially launched in the 1920s by French writer André Breton, who published the "Manifesto of Surrealism" in 1924. This manifesto laid out the core principles of surrealism, which included the belief in the liberation of thought, the importance of automatism (the spontaneous creation of art without conscious control), and a rejection of rationality and established societal norms.
Max Ernst
Yves Tanguy, A thousand Times (1933)
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Cora Vessel by Whitney Sharpe |
Double Feature Lex pavone |
The movement evolved over time, with some artists focusing on a more abstract and automatist approach, while others delved into more figurative and symbolic expressions. Surrealism also had political and social dimensions, with some artists using their work to challenge authority, question societal norms, and explore issues of identity and the human psyche.
Savador Dalí, Venus De Milo With Drawers (1936)
Surrealism's impact can still be felt today in contemporary art, popular culture, and various artistic practices that celebrate the exploration of the SUBCONSCIOUS and the UNCONVENTIONAL.