Wednesday, November 12

Surrealism In Art

Salvador Dali "Slave Market and Disappearing Bust of Voltaire"

What is surrealism in art? I thought I knew but wanted to do a little more research to understand its origins, its key ideas and the "why" behind how we see it interpreted in art.  So, I thought I'd share what I found here with you and provide a few examples.


According to several different internet resources, the origins of surrealism are based in Paris with a small group of writers and artists who sought to channel the unconscious as a means to unlock the power of imagination.  Disdaining rationalism and literary realism, their thinking was that the conscious mind represses the power of the imagination.  Officially founded in 1924, it has come to be seen as the most influential movement in twentieth century art.


In my words, if you can turn off the conscious mind and just let what's in your head flow out naturally....it may not make sense, but it is what it is.

Some historic names that you would associate with this type of art include:

  • Salvador Dali-artist
  • Man Ray-photographer
  • Andre Breton-photographer
  • Joan Miro-artist
  • Marc Chagall-artist
  • Alexander Calder-sculptor

Man Ray - Tears, 1930 photographe surréaliste http://manufactureduregard.tumblr.com/post/59476514059/man-ray-photographe-surrealiste-photographe
"Tears" - Man Ray 1936

Joan Miro-"Summer" 1937


One of my all time favorite Chagall paintings. If you don't feel like this with your partner, you're with the wrong person.
Marc Chagall
Alexander Calder wire sculpture
Alexander Calder
The concept is still alive and well in art today and with such tools as digital cameras and Photoshop the possibilities are endless.  I have a few modern day artists that you  may have never heard of but that I really enjoy and would like to share with you.
Nicoletta Ciccoli
Nicoletta Ciccoli
Tom Haney...Return to Dreamland, 2010, automata, handmade electronic moving sculpture with found materials, 24" x 18" x 18" (THAN112)
Tom Haney-Kinetic Sculptures...one of my favorites!!
Mark Ryden - Saint Barbie (no es exactamente un diseñador, pero igual me inspira)
Mark Ryden
Draw (2005) - Linda R. Herzog http://www.natureartists.com/art/resized/267_Draw_5_x_5_wrapped_Nov._2005.jpg
Linda Herzog
Reclaimed recycled reworked sculptural works - Greg Brotherton
Greg Brotherton-Sculpture
Camera Obscura, Abelardo Morell
Abelardo Morell-Photographer. Turns whole rooms into Camera Obscuras.



"Woman" - Jan Partain


Other definitions I found:
Dictionary:  Pure psychic automatism, by which one proposes to express, either verbally, in writing, or by any other manner, the real functioning of thought. 
Encyclopedia:  Surrealism is based on the belief in the superior reality of certain forms of previously neglected associations, in the omnipotence of dream, in the disinterested play of thought.

Wow, aren't you glad I cleared THAT up!  Whatever the definition, the work is often intriguing, whimsical, eerie and thought provoking.  

So, those odd thoughts you have that you think nobody else could possibly have.....maybe they're just unexpressed art.....hmmmmm.

As always, thanks for stopping by! I enjoy reading your comments below. 

Jan

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