9.4 Surrealist Photography and Film
4 min read•august 13, 2024
Surrealist photography and film pushed the boundaries of reality, exploring through unconventional techniques. Artists used , , and to create dreamlike imagery that challenged conventional perceptions.
These mediums allowed Surrealists to capture and manipulate reality in ways impossible with traditional art forms. The mechanical nature of photography and film aligned with Surrealist interests in and removing conscious control from the artistic process.
Surrealist Photography and Film
Key Characteristics and Techniques
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Double exposure | in-camera | Gabriel Garcia Marengo | Flickr View original
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Double | double exposure | 松林 L | Flickr View original
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Double exposure | in-camera | Gabriel Garcia Marengo | Flickr View original
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Double exposure | in-camera | Gabriel Garcia Marengo | Flickr View original
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- Challenge the boundaries of reality and explore the subconscious mind through unconventional and dreamlike imagery
- Employ techniques such as double exposure, photomontage, solarization, and unexpected juxtapositions or distortions to create a sense of
- Double exposure involves superimposing two or more images on a single photographic frame ('s "Marquise Casati")
- Photomontage combines multiple photographic images into a single composition ('s "Dream No. 1")
- Solarization partially reverses the tone of a photograph, creating a surreal effect ('s "Portrait of Space")
- Incorporate elements of chance, coincidence, and the absurd to challenge conventional notions of reality and meaning ('s "")
Surrealist Film Aesthetics
- Employ non-linear narratives, abstract imagery, and symbolic elements to evoke a sense of or the subconscious
- and Salvador Dalí's "" features a series of disjointed and shocking scenes
- 's "" uses repetition and symbolic objects to explore the protagonist's inner world
- Apply the principle of automatism, or the spontaneous creation of art without conscious control
- Automatism allows for the expression of the subconscious mind and the exploration of chance and coincidence
- 's "Ghosts Before Breakfast" incorporates elements of chance and improvisation in its creation
Notable Surrealist Artists
Photographers
- Man Ray, known for his experimental "rayographs" (photograms) and manipulated portraits that challenge traditional notions of representation
- Collaborated with André Breton, the founder of Surrealism, on projects exploring the intersection of art and psychoanalysis
- Hans Bellmer created unsettling photographs of dismembered and reconfigured dolls, challenging conventional notions of beauty and sexuality
- 's self-portraits explored gender identity and the constructed nature of the self, often featuring androgynous or gender-ambiguous imagery
Filmmakers
- Luis Buñuel collaborated with Salvador Dalí on the groundbreaking Surrealist film "Un Chien Andalou" (1929), featuring shocking and illogical imagery
- The film's opening scene, depicting a woman's eye being sliced open with a razor, remains one of the most iconic and disturbing images in cinema history
- Maya Deren created experimental films such as "Meshes of the Afternoon" (1943) that explore the inner workings of the mind through symbolic imagery and non-linear narratives
- Deren's films often feature recurring motifs, such as keys, knives, and mirrors, that take on symbolic significance within the narrative
Photography and Film in Surrealism
Expanding the Boundaries of the Movement
- Photography and film allowed Surrealist artists to capture and manipulate reality in ways not possible with traditional media (painting or sculpture)
- The mechanical nature of photography and film aligned with the Surrealist interest in automatism and the removal of conscious control from the artistic process
- The ability to reproduce and disseminate photographic and cinematic works helped popularize Surrealist ideas and aesthetics beyond the traditional art world
Challenging Traditional Art Forms
- Surrealist photography and film challenged the notion of art as a purely visual medium by incorporating elements of time, movement, and narrative
- Man Ray's "Le Retour à la Raison" (1923) combines abstract photograms with moving images, blurring the line between photography and film
- The use of photography and film in Surrealism paved the way for the development of new artistic genres (experimental cinema, conceptual photography)
- The Surrealist exploration of the subconscious mind and the irrational influenced the development of avant-garde film movements (French New Wave, American underground cinema)
Surrealism's Lasting Impact
Influence on Contemporary Art
- Unconventional techniques and themes explored by Surrealist photographers and filmmakers continue to influence contemporary artists working in various media
- The Surrealist emphasis on the subconscious mind, dreams, and fantasies has become a recurring theme in contemporary photography and film (David Lynch's "Eraserhead", Gregory Crewdson's staged photographs)
- The use of digital manipulation and special effects in contemporary photography and film can be seen as an extension of the Surrealist interest in challenging the boundaries of reality (Jerry Uelsmann's photomontages, the films of Michel Gondry)
Social and Political Critique
- The Surrealist legacy of using art as a means of social and political critique continues to inspire contemporary artists who challenge dominant ideologies and power structures
- Contemporary photographers like Cindy Sherman and Carrie Mae Weems use their work to explore issues of gender, race, and identity
- Films such as Boots Riley's "Sorry to Bother You" (2018) employ Surrealist elements to critique capitalism and social inequality
- The Surrealist exploration of gender, sexuality, and identity has paved the way for contemporary artists who use photography and film to explore issues of representation and marginalization (Zanele Muholi's portraits of the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa)
Key Terms to Review (26)
Automatism: Automatism is a creative process in art and literature that emphasizes spontaneous, unconscious actions and techniques, allowing artists to bypass rational control and tap into deeper psychological states. This concept became a foundational element of Surrealism, where artists sought to express the irrational and dreamlike aspects of human experience. By embracing automatism, creators aimed to access their subconscious, often resulting in unexpected and innovative artistic expressions.
Claude Cahun: Claude Cahun was a French photographer and writer, known for her pioneering contributions to surrealist photography and her exploration of identity and gender. Cahun's work often involved self-portraits that blurred the lines between gender and reality, making her a significant figure in the Surrealist movement and a precursor to contemporary discussions about gender fluidity and identity in art.
Cross-disciplinary influences: Cross-disciplinary influences refer to the interactions and exchanges that occur between different fields of study, leading to new ideas, perspectives, and innovations. In the context of surrealist photography and film, these influences manifest as artists draw inspiration from various disciplines such as psychology, literature, and visual arts to challenge conventional representation and explore the unconscious mind.
Dada Movement: The Dada movement was an avant-garde art and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in Europe, as a reaction to the horrors of World War I. It challenged conventional aesthetics and norms through absurdity, irrationality, and anti-bourgeois sentiment, paving the way for Surrealism and influencing various forms of modern art and literature.
Double exposure: Double exposure is a photographic technique that combines two different images into a single frame, creating a surreal and often dreamlike effect. This method allows photographers to explore themes of reality and perception, which are central to the aesthetic of Surrealism, blurring the lines between the real and the imagined.
Dream photography: Dream photography refers to a style of photographic art that aims to capture and convey the essence of dreams, often featuring surreal, fantastical, and otherworldly elements. This approach is deeply connected to the Surrealist movement, which sought to explore the unconscious mind and the realm of dreams as a means of artistic expression.
Exposition internationale du surréalisme: The exposition internationale du surréalisme, held in 1938 in Paris, was a landmark exhibition that showcased the works of surrealist artists and their explorations of the unconscious mind. This event brought together notable figures of the surrealist movement, presenting a platform for creative expression that challenged conventional perceptions of reality, identity, and existence. The exhibition played a significant role in solidifying surrealism as a dominant artistic and cultural movement in the early 20th century.
Grete Stern: Grete Stern was a prominent German-born photographer and graphic designer known for her contributions to surrealist photography, particularly in Argentina during the mid-20th century. She is celebrated for her innovative and dreamlike images that blend reality and fantasy, often exploring themes of identity and gender through a surreal lens.
Hans Richter: Hans Richter was a pioneering German filmmaker and artist known for his contributions to experimental cinema and the Dada movement. He played a significant role in the development of surrealist photography and film by introducing innovative techniques that emphasized abstraction and visual experimentation.
Intermediality: Intermediality refers to the blending or interaction of different media forms within a single work or experience, creating a space where the boundaries between disciplines like photography, film, painting, and performance become blurred. This concept plays a crucial role in the Surrealist movement, which sought to challenge traditional representations and engage viewers through innovative combinations of visual and narrative elements that provoke the subconscious mind.
Lee Miller: Lee Miller was an American photographer, model, and war correspondent, celebrated for her contributions to surrealist photography and her unique perspective on the human experience during tumultuous times. Her work in the realm of surrealism pushed boundaries by incorporating dreamlike imagery and challenging traditional notions of photography, particularly during her time as a photojournalist in World War II, where she captured both the horror and the resilience of humanity.
Luis Buñuel: Luis Buñuel was a Spanish filmmaker known for his influential work in surrealist cinema, blending dreamlike narratives with critical social commentary. His films often featured shocking imagery and non-linear storytelling, challenging traditional filmmaking and exploring themes of desire, repression, and absurdity, making significant contributions to the surrealist movement alongside painters like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte.
Man Ray: Man Ray was an American visual artist and photographer who became a significant figure in the Surrealist movement, particularly known for his innovative techniques in photography and film. His work transcended traditional photography, incorporating elements of painting and collage, which contributed to the evolution of modern art. He is famous for pioneering techniques like rayographs and for his collaborations with other notable artists, showcasing the interplay between art and the subconscious.
Maya Deren: Maya Deren was a pioneering American filmmaker, known for her innovative work in avant-garde cinema during the 1940s and 1950s. She is recognized for her surrealist approach to filmmaking, blending dreamlike imagery and themes of psychological exploration, which contributed significantly to the development of experimental film and surrealist photography.
Meshes of the Afternoon: Meshes of the Afternoon is a seminal short film created by Maya Deren in 1943 that serves as a cornerstone of surrealist cinema. The film utilizes dreamlike imagery and non-linear narrative to explore themes of identity, reality, and the subconscious mind. Its innovative use of editing and symbolism has greatly influenced both experimental film and surrealist photography, marking it as a pivotal work in the realm of avant-garde art.
Photomontage: Photomontage is a technique that involves combining multiple photographs to create a single image, often to convey complex ideas or emotions. This method was widely used by artists in the early 20th century to challenge traditional artistic norms, allowing for new forms of visual expression that reflected the chaotic nature of modern life. It served as a powerful tool in movements like Dada and Surrealism, where the absurdity and irrationality of the world were emphasized through unexpected juxtapositions.
René Magritte: René Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist known for his thought-provoking and often witty paintings that challenge observers' perceptions of reality. His work often juxtaposes ordinary objects in unusual contexts, inviting viewers to question their assumptions about the world, which connects deeply to the exploration of the unconscious mind and the themes of surrealism.
Solarization: Solarization is a photographic technique that involves partially exposing photographic film to light during the development process, resulting in a surreal, dreamlike effect. This technique creates a reversal of tones, where light areas appear dark and dark areas appear light, enhancing the visual impact of the image. Solarization was particularly embraced by Surrealist artists who sought to challenge conventional representations and evoke emotional responses through unexpected visual experiences.
Surrealist cinema: Surrealist cinema is a film movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its exploration of the unconscious mind and dreamlike imagery. It seeks to challenge conventional narratives and logic, using bizarre and irrational sequences to provoke thought and evoke emotions. This style of filmmaking is deeply connected to surrealist art and literature, often blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
Surrealist Manifesto: The Surrealist Manifesto is a foundational text written by André Breton in 1924 that outlines the principles and goals of the Surrealist movement, which sought to explore the unconscious mind and challenge the conventions of reality. This manifesto emphasized the importance of dreams, the irrational, and the juxtaposition of disparate elements in art and literature, paving the way for revolutionary approaches in various artistic mediums.
The irrational: The irrational refers to elements that defy logical reasoning, often manifesting through the unconscious mind, dreams, and surreal imagery. This concept is a key component in understanding Surrealism, where artists sought to express the illogical and absurd nature of human existence, tapping into emotions, desires, and thoughts that are not bound by rational constraints.
The subconscious: The subconscious refers to the part of the mind that is not fully conscious but influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It plays a crucial role in shaping artistic expression, especially within movements that prioritize dream-like imagery and irrationality, such as surrealism. This deeper layer of mental processes serves as a rich source of inspiration for artists, enabling them to tap into the hidden emotions and desires that lie beneath the surface of everyday consciousness.
The treachery of images: The treachery of images refers to the philosophical and artistic concept that challenges the relationship between representations and reality, famously articulated by René Magritte in his painting 'The Treachery of Images'. This phrase, translated from French as 'Ceci n'est pas une pipe' ('This is not a pipe'), underscores the idea that images are merely representations and not the actual objects they depict, provoking deeper thoughts about perception and reality, especially in the context of surrealism and its exploration of the unconscious mind.
The uncanny: The uncanny refers to a psychological experience where something familiar becomes unsettling or eerie, often evoking feelings of discomfort and strangeness. This concept plays a crucial role in art and literature, especially in surrealism, where familiar objects and scenes are transformed into something bizarre, provoking anxiety and introspection. The uncanny blurs the line between reality and fantasy, revealing the hidden fears and desires that lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.
Un chien andalou: Un chien andalou is a 1929 silent short film co-written by Spanish director Luis Buñuel and artist Salvador Dalí, recognized as a seminal work in the Surrealist movement. The film is known for its bizarre imagery, non-linear narrative, and dreamlike sequences that challenge conventional storytelling and evoke the subconscious mind. This work exemplifies how Surrealist photography and film aimed to provoke thought and disorient viewers by juxtaposing irrational scenes that reflect the inner workings of the psyche.
World War I: World War I was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, primarily involving European nations and resulting in massive military and civilian casualties. This war marked a significant turning point in history, as it not only altered political boundaries but also influenced artistic movements like Dadaism and Surrealism, reflecting the chaos and absurdity of the time through radical forms of expression.