Surrealism originated in the aftermath of World War I, a period marked by disillusionment and a desire for radical change. Influenced by the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud, surrealists aimed to access the subconscious mind and liberate it from the constraints of rational thought.
The movement officially began in 1924 with the publication of André Breton's "Manifesto of Surrealism," which outlined the principles and goals of the surrealist movement.
Surrealism in art is defined by several distinctive features:
Dream Imagery: Surrealist artists often incorporate dreamlike and fantastical elements into their work, drawing inspiration from the unconscious mind and the world of dreams.
Juxtaposition: The unexpected combination of unrelated objects or elements creates a sense of surprise and challenges the viewer's perception of reality.
Automatism: A technique used by surrealists to bypass rational control, automatism involves spontaneous and automatic creation, allowing the unconscious mind to guide the artistic process.
Symbolism: Surrealist art is rich in symbolism, with objects and scenes often holding deeper, hidden meanings related to the psyche and inner experiences.
