Surrealism

What is Surrealism?
Surrealism is a style in which fantastical visual imagery from the subconscious mind (dreams) is used with no intention of making the work logically comprehensible. The concept of the subconscious was new at the time. The psychologist Sigmund Freud had recently described mental life as a conflict between the civilized, thinking mind and inner desires we are not normally aware of. Freud thought that understanding this conflict could help cure mental illness. The Surrealists, on the other hand, hoped to bypass the thinking mind completely. They wanted to allow the unconscious mind to express itself, free from the control of reason, morality, or good taste.

Art from this movement often involved impossible scenes portrayed in a realistic manner. Most surreal artwork looks as if there is a specific meaning that the artist intended to portray. However, most of the artists did not have a specific meaning in mind when they created the imagery. Becaue there is not specific intended message, this often frustrates the viewers in the same way trying to interpret the meaning of dreams can be frustrating. Both Surrealism and dreams are ambiguous.

Techniques:
Surrealist artists created artwork using three basic tecniques: Juxtaposition, levitation and scale changes.


 * Juxtapostion**: Placing objects together that are not normally seen together, for example: a train flying out of a fireplace.


 * Levitation:** Floating Objects.


 * Scale** Changes: Making large images small and small image large.

Surrealism was founded by Andre Breton in 1924 and lasted into the 1950's. Although the Surrealism movement ended in the 1950's, many artists today are inspired by the movement and continue to make surreal artwork.

Click on the Photos below to view various examples of Surrealism.


 * [[image:Rene-Magritte-The-Son-of-Man-134151.jpg width="171" height="214" caption="Rene Magritte" link="Magritte"]] || [[image:ernst_fireside_angel.jpg width="231" height="197" caption="Andre Breton" link="Andre Breton"]] ||
 * [[image:dali-persistence-of-time.jpg width="229" height="168" caption="Salvador Dali" link="Dali"]] || [[image:Surrealism___Save_The_World_by_puiyeel.jpg width="167" height="200" caption="Surreal Photography" link="Surrealism Photography"]] ||

Project Requirements:
1. Create a list of at least 20 random objects that you can take photographs of.

2. Create a list of at least 5 backgrounds/scenery you can take photographs of.

3. Draw 3 sketches of surreal scenes combining some of the objects and backgrounds you listed.

4. Take at least 20 photographs, at least 5 of backgrounds or scenery, 15 of random objects, similar to the objects listed above.

5. Create 2 surreal compositions using your own original photography. Each photography needs combine at least 4 photographs (the background can count as one). Photographs must be edited and combined using Adobe Photoshop Elements or the free photo editing software downloaded from the previous project.

6. Print and mat your best composition.

My Examples

 * [[image:charleston_zoo_2_tn.png width="228" height="173" link="Surreal Charleston"]] || [[image:JenGorlewski2_tn.jpg width="157" height="224" link="bubble world"]] || [[image:surreal2_tn.jpg width="248" height="187" link="Charleston Beach"]] ||