“Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision.” ― Salvador Dalí
So what exactly is surrealism?
Here’s the dictionary definition:
SURREALISM, noun, masc., Pure psychic automatism by which it is intended to express, either verbally or in writing, the true function of thought. Thought dictated in the absence of all control exerted by reason, and outside all aesthetic or moral control. (Bigsby, 37)
I feel like surrealism is easier to understand if you see it in action. For example, if you go to a museum and walk through the surrealist art section, surrealism would come to you in a snap.
To me, the whole point of surrealism is blending dreamlike imagery with real life to symbolize some aspect of the unconscious being manifested in reality. Surrealism is a tool used to transform dreams into real life.
But if you read about surrealism through books filled with text and no images, surrealism would only be a few sentences written with fancy words and good grammar.
To get a bit of insight into surrealist art, here’s a few of my favourite art pieces:
The Temptation of St. Anthony - Salvador Dali 1946
Time Transfixed - Rene Magritte 1938
The Robing of the Bride - Max Ernst 1940
I’ll probably analyze these pieces and a few more in the coming days/weeks. I’m thinking about applying certain psychological theories to the paintings - just to get an insight on what the artist was thinking.
Freudian theories on the subconscious would work particularly well with surrealist artists since their paintings seem to tell of a whole other world; maybe their own subconscious world?
