🫥Abstract Expressionism Unit 2 – Surrealism & Automatism: Abstract Roots

Historical Context

• Surrealism emerged in the aftermath of World War I (1914-1918) as a reaction against the rationalism and realism that many believed led to the war
• Influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud, particularly his ideas about the unconscious mind and dream analysis
• Developed in Paris in the early 1920s, with the publication of André Breton's "Manifesto of Surrealism" in 1924
• Coincided with the rise of other avant-garde movements such as Dada, which rejected traditional art forms and embraced absurdity and irrationality
• Reflected the disillusionment and desire for change in the post-war era, seeking to challenge societal norms and explore the irrational aspects of the human psyche
• Influenced by the political and social upheavals of the time, including the rise of fascism and the Great Depression
• Spread internationally, with Surrealist groups forming in various countries across Europe and the Americas

Key Figures and Influences

• André Breton, French writer and poet, considered the founder and leader of the Surrealist movement
  • Authored the "Manifesto of Surrealism" (1924) and "Second Manifesto of Surrealism" (1929)
  • Organized Surrealist exhibitions and publications
• Max Ernst, German artist known for his collages, frottages, and paintings exploring the subconscious mind
• Salvador Dalí, Spanish artist famous for his dreamlike, bizarre, and symbolic paintings (The Persistence of Memory)
• Joan Miró, Spanish artist who combined abstract and surreal elements in his paintings and sculptures
• Yves Tanguy, French artist known for his abstract, biomorphic landscapes
• René Magritte, Belgian artist renowned for his thought-provoking, paradoxical images (The Treachery of Images)
• Influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud, particularly his ideas about the unconscious mind, dreams, and free association
• Drew inspiration from primitive art, children's art, and the art of the mentally ill, believing these forms of expression were closer to the subconscious

Core Principles of Surrealism

• Emphasis on the subconscious and irrational aspects of the human mind, seeking to tap into the creative potential of the unconscious
• Rejection of rationalism, realism, and societal norms in favor of exploring the illogical, absurd, and dreamlike
• Belief in the power of the imagination and the importance of free expression, unconstrained by reason or moral considerations
• Use of juxtaposition, contradiction, and unexpected combinations to create startling, thought-provoking images
• Embracing of chance, spontaneity, and automatism as means of accessing the subconscious and generating new forms of artistic expression
• Interest in exploring themes of desire, sexuality, and the erotic, often through symbolic or metaphorical imagery
• Commitment to political and social revolution, viewing art as a means of challenging the status quo and transforming society

Automatism: Definition and Techniques

• Automatism refers to the practice of creating art without conscious control or premeditation, allowing the subconscious mind to guide the creative process
• Aims to bypass the rational mind and tap into the pure, unfiltered creativity of the unconscious
• Automatic writing involves writing without consciously directing the content, allowing words and phrases to flow freely without editing or censorship
  • Used by Surrealist poets and writers to generate unexpected and revealing associations and images
• Automatic drawing involves creating drawings or sketches without consciously planning or directing the outcome, letting the hand move spontaneously across the page
  • Employed by Surrealist artists to create abstract, biomorphic forms and patterns
• Frottage, developed by Max Ernst, involves rubbing graphite or other media over a textured surface to create random, chance-based patterns and shapes
• Decalcomania, used by artists like Oscar Domínguez, involves pressing paint between two surfaces and then pulling them apart to create unexpected, organic forms
• Surrealist games, such as "Exquisite Corpse," involve collaborative, chance-based creation, with each participant contributing a portion of a drawing or poem without seeing the previous contributions

Visual Elements and Characteristics

• Dreamlike, irrational, and bizarre imagery that often defies logical explanation or narrative coherence
• Juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated or contradictory elements to create startling, thought-provoking compositions
• Biomorphic forms and shapes that resemble organic, living creatures or structures, often with a sense of metamorphosis or transformation
• Distorted, exaggerated, or impossible perspectives and spatial relationships that challenge perceptions of reality
• Symbolic and metaphorical imagery that alludes to deeper psychological or emotional states, often with sexual or erotic undertones
• Smooth, precise, and highly detailed rendering techniques that create a sense of hyperrealism or heightened reality, even in the most fantastical or impossible scenes
• Use of vivid, saturated colors and dramatic lighting effects to create a sense of otherworldliness or heightened emotional intensity
• Incorporation of found objects, collage elements, and unconventional materials to create unexpected textures and forms

Notable Artworks and Examples

• Salvador Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory" (1931), featuring melting clocks in a dreamlike landscape, symbolizing the fluidity and subjectivity of time
• René Magritte's "The Treachery of Images" (1929), depicting a pipe with the caption "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" (This is not a pipe), challenging the relationship between representation and reality
• Max Ernst's "The Elephant Celebes" (1921), a collage-like painting combining disparate elements to create a fantastical, dreamlike scene
• Joan Miró's "Harlequin's Carnival" (1924-1925), a playful, abstract composition featuring biomorphic forms and vibrant colors
• Yves Tanguy's "Mama, Papa is Wounded!" (1927), a surreal landscape populated by strange, organic forms that suggest a sense of unease and psychological tension
• André Masson's "Automatic Drawing" (1924-1925), an early example of automatic drawing, featuring fluid, spontaneous lines and shapes that evoke the subconscious mind
• Meret Oppenheim's "Object (Breakfast in Fur)" (1936), a fur-covered teacup, saucer, and spoon that challenges conventional notions of functionality and beauty

Impact on Abstract Expressionism

• Surrealism's emphasis on spontaneity, automatism, and the subconscious influenced the development of Abstract Expressionism in the post-World War II era
• Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, such as "Number 1 (Lavender Mist)" (1950), can be seen as an extension of Surrealist automatic techniques, allowing the subconscious to guide the creative process
• Mark Rothko's color field paintings, like "No. 61 (Rust and Blue)" (1953), evoke a sense of deep, emotional resonance, similar to the psychological intensity sought by Surrealist artists
• Willem de Kooning's "Woman" series (1950s) combines abstract, gestural brushwork with fragmented, distorted figurative elements, recalling the biomorphic forms and psychological themes of Surrealism
• Arshile Gorky's biomorphic abstractions, such as "The Liver is the Cock's Comb" (1944), draw on Surrealist imagery and the idea of tapping into the subconscious mind
• The Surrealist interest in primitive art and the art of the mentally ill parallels the Abstract Expressionists' fascination with the raw, unfiltered expression of the human psyche
• Surrealism's challenge to traditional art forms and emphasis on individual expression paved the way for the radical innovations of Abstract Expressionism

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• Surrealism's influence extends beyond the visual arts, impacting literature, film, photography, and popular culture
• The Surrealist emphasis on the subconscious and the irrational continues to inspire artists, writers, and filmmakers who seek to explore the depths of the human psyche
• Contemporary artists like Cindy Sherman, David Lynch, and Tracey Emin draw on Surrealist themes and techniques in their work, often combining elements of the uncanny, the dreamlike, and the autobiographical
• The Surrealist interest in chance, spontaneity, and the found object has influenced the development of various art forms, from collage and assemblage to performance art and installation art
• Surrealist imagery and themes continue to permeate popular culture, from advertising and music videos to fashion and graphic design
• The Surrealist challenge to societal norms and the status quo remains relevant in the context of contemporary social and political issues, with artists using Surrealist strategies to critique power structures and advocate for change
• The Surrealist legacy has been celebrated and reexamined through major exhibitions, such as "Surrealism Beyond Borders" (2021-2022) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which explored the global impact and enduring relevance of the movement