4.5 Surrealist groups and movements
8 min read•august 21, 2024
Surrealism emerged in 1920s Paris as a revolutionary movement exploring the unconscious mind. It rejected rationalism, embraced Dada's techniques, and was led by André Breton, who wrote the First in 1924 defining the movement's principles.
Surrealism spread globally, forming distinct regional groups and developing unique techniques like and . It influenced various art forms, engaged with political ideologies, and continues to impact contemporary art and culture through Neo-Surrealism and popular media.
Origins of Surrealism
- Emerged as a revolutionary artistic and intellectual movement in Paris during the 1920s
- Sought to liberate the unconscious mind and explore the irrational aspects of human experience
- Developed as a reaction against rationalism and realism in art and literature
Influence of Dada
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- Inherited Dada's rejection of traditional artistic values and conventions
- Embraced Dada's use of chance and randomness in artistic creation
- Moved beyond Dada's nihilism towards a more constructive approach to exploring the unconscious
- Incorporated Dada techniques (, photomontage) into Surrealist practices
André Breton's role
- Founded the Surrealist movement and served as its primary theorist and leader
- Wrote the First Surrealist Manifesto in 1924, defining the movement's goals and principles
- Organized Surrealist group activities, exhibitions, and publications
- Developed key Surrealist concepts (automatic writing, objective chance)
- Expelled members who deviated from his vision of Surrealism
First Surrealist Manifesto
- Published by André Breton in 1924, marking the official birth of Surrealism
- Defined Surrealism as "pure psychic " to express thought without rational control
- Emphasized the importance of dreams, the unconscious, and the irrational in artistic creation
- Called for a revolution in art, literature, and society through Surrealist practices
- Listed early Surrealist members and their contributions to the movement
Key Surrealist groups
- Surrealism spread beyond its Parisian origins to form distinct regional groups
- Each group developed unique characteristics while maintaining core Surrealist principles
- International collaborations and exchanges between groups enriched the movement
Paris Surrealist group
- Centered around André Breton and considered the original Surrealist group
- Included prominent artists and writers (, Max Ernst, Paul Éluard)
- Organized influential exhibitions and publications ()
- Engaged in political activism and collaborated with Communist organizations
- Developed key Surrealist techniques and concepts (automatic writing, exquisite corpse)
Belgian Surrealist group
- Formed in Brussels in 1926, led by Paul Nougé and René Magritte
- Emphasized visual art over literature, unlike the Paris group
- Developed a distinct style characterized by mysterious and enigmatic imagery
- Explored themes of language, perception, and the relationship between objects and words
- Produced influential works (Magritte's "The Treachery of Images")
Czech Surrealist group
- Established in Prague in 1934, led by Karel Teige and Vítězslav Nezval
- Integrated Surrealism with local avant-garde traditions and political activism
- Produced significant works in poetry, visual arts, and film
- Survived Nazi occupation and continued underground during Communist rule
- Influenced later generations of Czech artists and writers
Surrealist techniques
- Surrealists developed various methods to access the unconscious and create art
- These techniques aimed to bypass rational thought and unleash creativity
- Many Surrealist techniques became influential in modern art and psychology
Automatic writing
- Involved writing without conscious control or premeditation
- Aimed to reveal the unconscious mind and produce unexpected associations
- Practiced by writers (André Breton, Philippe Soupault) and visual artists
- Resulted in stream-of-consciousness texts and spontaneous drawings
- Influenced later literary movements (Beat Generation, stream of consciousness)
Exquisite corpse
- Collaborative drawing or writing game invented by Surrealists
- Participants take turns adding to a composition without seeing previous contributions
- Produced unexpected and often bizarre results
- Explored collective creativity and the power of chance
- Adapted for various media (visual art, poetry, music)
Frottage and grattage
- involved rubbing pencil or crayon over paper placed on textured surfaces
- applied frottage techniques to painted canvases
- Developed by Max Ernst to produce unexpected textures and forms
- Allowed artists to incorporate random elements into their work
- Influenced the development of abstract art techniques
International spread
- Surrealism expanded globally, adapting to different cultural contexts
- International Surrealist exhibitions promoted the movement worldwide
- Local artists incorporated Surrealist ideas into their own cultural traditions
Surrealism in America
- Introduced through exhibitions and European artists fleeing World War II
- Influenced American artists (, , )
- Contributed to the development of Abstract Expressionism
- Impacted American popular culture and advertising
- Established Surrealist-inspired art colonies (Sedona, Arizona)
Surrealism in Japan
- Introduced in the 1920s through translations of Surrealist literature
- Developed unique characteristics influenced by Japanese aesthetics and traditions
- Produced significant artists (, )
- Explored themes of eroticism, dreams, and social critique
- Influenced postwar Japanese avant-garde movements
Surrealism in Latin America
- Spread through exhibitions and European artists visiting the region
- Adapted Surrealist ideas to explore local cultural and political issues
- Produced influential artists (, , )
- Incorporated indigenous mythologies and magical realism
- Influenced the development of Latin American magical realist literature
Surrealist movements
- Surrealism encompassed various sub-movements and artistic approaches
- These movements explored different aspects of the unconscious and reality
- Each movement contributed unique techniques and aesthetics to Surrealism
Veristic Surrealism
- Focused on creating highly detailed, realistic depictions of dream-like scenes
- Aimed to paint "hand-painted dream photographs"
- Represented by artists like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte
- Employed techniques of trompe l'oeil and photorealism
- Explored themes of metamorphosis, displacement, and juxtaposition
Automatism
- Emphasized spontaneous, uncontrolled creation to access the unconscious
- Applied to various media (writing, drawing, painting)
- Practiced by artists like André Masson and Joan Miró
- Resulted in abstract or semi-abstract compositions
- Influenced the development of Abstract Expressionism and action painting
Biomorphism
- Focused on creating abstract forms inspired by biological shapes and processes
- Explored the connection between nature, the unconscious, and artistic creation
- Represented by artists like Jean Arp and Yves Tanguy
- Influenced the development of organic abstraction in modern art
- Incorporated elements of chance and automatism in the creative process
Surrealism and politics
- Surrealism was deeply intertwined with political ideologies and movements
- Many Surrealists saw their art as a tool for social and political revolution
- Political affiliations and conflicts shaped the development of Surrealism
Communism and Surrealism
- Many Surrealists aligned themselves with Communist ideals in the 1920s and 1930s
- Saw Communism as a means to achieve social and artistic revolution
- Collaborated with Communist organizations and publications
- Tensions arose between artistic freedom and party discipline
- Some Surrealists () fully embraced Communist ideology
Trotskyism and Breton
- André Breton met Leon Trotsky in Mexico in 1938
- Collaborated on the manifesto "For an Independent Revolutionary Art"
- Advocated for artistic freedom within socialist revolution
- Breton's Trotskyist stance led to conflicts with Stalinist Communists
- Influenced the political direction of Surrealism in the late 1930s and 1940s
Surrealism during WWII
- Many Surrealists fled Europe to escape Nazi occupation
- Continued Surrealist activities in exile (New York, Mexico)
- Explored themes of war, violence, and displacement in their work
- Some Surrealists joined resistance movements
- Post-war Surrealism addressed trauma and reconstruction
Neo-Surrealism
- Refers to the continuation and evolution of Surrealist ideas after World War II
- Adapted Surrealist techniques and themes to new cultural and artistic contexts
- Influenced various contemporary art movements and popular culture
Post-war developments
- Surrealism's influence spread to Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art
- New generations of artists reinterpreted Surrealist ideas (Magritte's late work)
- Exploration of new media and technologies in Surrealist-inspired art
- Incorporation of existentialist and psychoanalytic theories
- Emergence of Surrealist-influenced movements (Magic Realism, Fantastic Realism)
Contemporary Surrealist groups
- Formation of new Surrealist groups in various countries
- Continuation of Surrealist practices and principles
- Adaptation of Surrealism to address contemporary issues
- Use of digital technologies and social media for Surrealist activities
- Organization of international Surrealist exhibitions and conferences
Influence on popular culture
- Surrealist imagery and concepts in advertising and graphic design
- Impact on fashion (Elsa Schiaparelli, Alexander McQueen)
- Influence on music videos and album art
- Surrealist elements in film and television (David Lynch, Tim Burton)
- Incorporation of Surrealist ideas in video games and virtual reality experiences
Surrealism in other arts
- Surrealism expanded beyond visual arts to influence various artistic disciplines
- Surrealist principles and techniques were adapted to different media
- Cross-pollination between Surrealism and other art forms enriched the movement
Surrealist cinema
- Developed unique visual language to represent dreams and the unconscious
- Pioneered by filmmakers like Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí
- Employed non-linear narratives and symbolic imagery
- Explored themes of desire, repression, and social critique
- Influenced experimental and art house cinema (Jean Cocteau, David Lynch)
Surrealist theatre
- Challenged conventional theatrical forms and narratives
- Incorporated elements of dreams, automatism, and the absurd
- Represented by playwrights like Antonin Artaud and Roger Vitrac
- Developed the concept of the "Theatre of Cruelty"
- Influenced later avant-garde theatre movements (Theatre of the Absurd)
Surrealist literature
- Expanded beyond automatic writing to explore various literary forms
- Produced significant works of poetry, novels, and essays
- Represented by writers like André Breton, Louis Aragon, and Paul Éluard
- Explored themes of love, revolution, and the marvelous
- Influenced later literary movements (Beat Generation, magical realism)
Criticism and legacy
- Surrealism faced various critiques and challenges throughout its history
- The movement's impact extended far beyond its original context
- Surrealist ideas continue to influence contemporary art and culture
Feminist critiques
- Criticized male-dominated nature of Surrealist groups
- Challenged objectification of women in Surrealist art
- Highlighted contributions of female Surrealist artists (Leonora Carrington, Dorothea Tanning)
- Explored feminist reinterpretations of Surrealist themes and techniques
- Influenced development of feminist art movements
Surrealism vs Abstract Expressionism
- Surrealism influenced early Abstract Expressionist artists
- Abstract Expressionism moved away from Surrealist figuration towards pure abstraction
- Debates arose over the role of the unconscious in artistic creation
- Some artists (Arshile Gorky, Jackson Pollock) bridged both movements
- Surrealism's emphasis on automatism found new expression in action painting
Lasting impact on modern art
- Expanded definition of art to include unconscious and irrational elements
- Influenced development of various art movements (Pop Art, Conceptual Art)
- Surrealist techniques adopted in art therapy and psychological practices
- Continued relevance in addressing contemporary social and political issues
- Legacy preserved through museums, exhibitions, and ongoing scholarly research
Key Terms to Review (35)
André Breton's Surrealist Group: André Breton's Surrealist Group was a collective of artists and writers founded in the early 20th century that aimed to explore the unconscious mind through art and literature. This group sought to challenge conventional forms of expression and embraced spontaneity, dreams, and the irrational as pathways to creativity. The Surrealist Group played a significant role in defining the movement, promoting ideas of automatic writing and dream imagery, while also intersecting with other avant-garde movements.
Automatic writing: Automatic writing is a technique in which a person writes without conscious thought, allowing their subconscious mind to express itself freely. This practice was crucial for Surrealist artists and writers who sought to bypass rationality and access deeper layers of creativity, connecting to the realms of the unconscious and dreams.
Automatism: Automatism is a technique used in art and literature that emphasizes spontaneous creation, allowing artists and writers to express their subconscious thoughts without the constraints of rational thought or premeditated intent. This approach is foundational in both Dada and Surrealist movements, as it seeks to tap into the unconscious mind to produce works that defy conventional logic and form.
Belgian Surrealist Group: The Belgian Surrealist Group was a collective of artists and writers formed in the early 1920s, dedicated to exploring the unconscious mind through art and literature. This group was significant in shaping the broader Surrealist movement, as they sought to express the dream-like quality of human experience and challenge conventional artistic norms.
Biomorphism: Biomorphism is an artistic and design principle that draws inspiration from the shapes and forms found in nature, often reflecting organic or living structures. This concept emerged prominently in the early 20th century and became integral to movements like Surrealism, where artists sought to evoke a sense of fluidity and natural growth in their works, blurring the lines between the organic and the abstract.
Bureau of surrealist research: The bureau of surrealist research was an organization established in the 1920s, primarily in France, to investigate and promote surrealism through various media, including literature, art, and psychoanalysis. This bureau aimed to create a structured approach to surrealist ideas, fostering collaboration among artists and writers, while also exploring the connections between dreams and reality. It served as a hub for theorizing and disseminating surrealist thought, influencing both surrealist novels and movements.
Collage: Collage is an artistic technique that involves assembling different materials, such as paper, photographs, fabric, and other found objects, to create a new composition. This method allows artists to challenge traditional artistic boundaries and explore innovative forms of expression, making it a significant part of movements like Dada and Surrealism.
Czech Surrealist Group: The Czech Surrealist Group was an artistic and literary collective that emerged in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s, known for its innovative and avant-garde approaches to art and literature. This group was instrumental in introducing surrealism to Central Europe, blending local traditions with surrealist ideals to explore themes of dreams, the subconscious, and the absurd.
Dada Manifesto: The Dada Manifesto is a foundational text that outlines the principles and beliefs of the Dada movement, which emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the horrors of World War I. It served as a rallying cry for artists and intellectuals who sought to challenge conventional art, embrace absurdity, and reject the rationalism that led to war.
Dorothea Tanning: Dorothea Tanning was an influential American artist known for her contributions to the Surrealist movement, particularly in painting and sculpture. She is celebrated for her imaginative and dreamlike works that often feature themes of femininity, identity, and the subconscious. Tanning's work is pivotal in understanding the role of women in Surrealism and her connections to other artists and movements within this avant-garde art scene.
Dream imagery: Dream imagery refers to the vivid, often surreal mental images and scenes experienced during dreams, which evoke emotional responses and challenge the boundaries of reality. This concept is central to the Surrealist movement, influencing artists and writers to explore the unconscious mind and embrace the irrational as a way to access deeper truths.
Exposition internationale du surréalisme: The exposition internationale du surréalisme was a pivotal exhibition held in Paris in 1938, showcasing a wide array of surrealist artworks and aiming to promote the ideas of the surrealist movement. This event marked a significant moment in the history of surrealism, as it brought together influential artists, poets, and thinkers to exhibit their works and ideas, establishing surrealism as a major artistic force in the 20th century.
Exquisite Corpse: The exquisite corpse is a collaborative drawing or writing method where multiple participants contribute to a piece without knowing what the others have created. This technique emphasizes chance and spontaneity, allowing for unexpected and often surreal combinations that reflect the core principles of Dada and Surrealism.
First International Dada Fair: The First International Dada Fair was held in Berlin in 1920 and is regarded as one of the most significant events in the Dada movement, showcasing various works from prominent Dada artists. This fair represented a collective effort to challenge conventional art standards and highlighted the diverse expressions within the Dada movement across different cities like Zurich and Berlin.
Frida Kahlo: Frida Kahlo was a renowned Mexican painter known for her deeply personal and symbolic self-portraits that explore themes of identity, pain, and femininity. Her work is often associated with surrealism due to its dreamlike quality and vivid imagery, making her a significant figure in the context of modern art and the portrayal of women's experiences.
Frottage: Frottage is a technique in art where textures are created by rubbing or drawing over a surface, often using materials like pencil or charcoal to transfer the patterns of the underlying surface onto paper. This method connects to various artistic movements by emphasizing randomness and the exploration of subconscious imagery, which aligns well with practices focused on irrationality, automatism, and the unconscious mind.
Futurism: Futurism was an avant-garde artistic and social movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th century, emphasizing themes of modernity, technology, speed, and violence. The movement celebrated dynamic energy, the impact of technology on life, and often rejected the past in favor of a new cultural landscape. Its influence can be seen across various art forms, including painting, sculpture, literature, and performance art, as it intersected with other movements such as Dada and Surrealism.
Grattage: Grattage is a surrealist technique that involves scraping or rubbing paint off a surface to reveal textures and forms underneath, allowing chance to dictate the outcome. This method emphasizes the role of spontaneity and the unconscious in art, connecting it to broader practices of automatism and free association.
Interwar Period: The interwar period refers to the time between World War I and World War II, roughly from 1918 to 1939. This era was marked by significant political, social, and artistic movements, as well as the rise of various ideologies, setting the stage for the subsequent global conflict. In the context of art movements, it became a fertile ground for both Dada and Surrealism, as artists sought to challenge conventions and express the absurdity of modern life.
Joseph Cornell: Joseph Cornell was an American artist and filmmaker known for his unique assemblages and box constructions, which often incorporated found objects and evoke a sense of nostalgia and dreamlike imagery. His work is significantly tied to the themes of Surrealism and Dada, reflecting a fascination with memory, childhood, and the interplay between reality and imagination, making him a key figure in Surrealism in the Americas and various avant-garde movements.
Kansuke Yamamoto: Kansuke Yamamoto was a Japanese artist and poet associated with the Surrealist movement, known for his innovative approach to visual art and literature. His work often combined elements of traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western surrealism, creating a unique blend that challenged conventional perceptions of reality and identity. Yamamoto's contributions to the movement were significant in bridging cultural gaps and expanding the horizons of surrealist expression.
La révolution surréaliste: La révolution surréaliste refers to the cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century, aimed at challenging the boundaries of reality and exploring the unconscious mind through various forms of expression. This movement was characterized by a desire to liberate imagination from rational constraints and was expressed through innovative exhibitions, manifestos, and collaborations among artists, writers, and intellectuals who formed surrealist groups. The term encapsulates the essence of surrealism as a radical approach to art and literature that sought to provoke thought and inspire change in societal norms.
Louis Aragon: Louis Aragon was a French poet, novelist, and a prominent member of the Surrealist movement, known for his close association with André Breton and his advocacy for the integration of surrealism into literature. His works often explored themes of love, politics, and the subconscious, reflecting the revolutionary spirit of his time and the influence of free association techniques popularized by surrealists. Aragon's contributions to surrealism extended beyond literature; he also engaged in political activism, intertwining his artistic vision with social change.
Marcel Duchamp: Marcel Duchamp was a French-American artist known for his pivotal role in the development of Dada and conceptual art. His innovative approach challenged traditional notions of art, particularly through his use of ready-mades, which were ordinary objects presented as art. Duchamp's ideas and works had a profound impact on various art movements, shaping the direction of modern art in the wake of World War I and influencing the transition to Surrealism.
Nonsensical art: Nonsensical art is a style that emphasizes absurdity and irrationality, often challenging traditional artistic norms and societal expectations. This type of art emerged prominently in the early 20th century as artists sought to reflect the chaos and disillusionment of the time, particularly following World War I. Nonsensical art often involves playful or illogical elements that disrupt conventional meaning, mirroring the spontaneity and experimentation central to movements like Dada and Surrealism.
Post-World War I: Post-World War I refers to the period following the end of World War I in 1918, characterized by significant social, political, and artistic transformations. This era was marked by a widespread disillusionment with traditional values, prompting new movements in art and literature, particularly Surrealism and Dada, which sought to challenge and redefine reality and perception.
Roberto Matta: Roberto Matta was a Chilean painter and surrealist artist known for his dreamlike, abstract compositions that often explored themes of identity, subconscious thought, and social issues. His work is significant in the context of Surrealism in the Americas, as he blended European surrealist techniques with Latin American cultural elements, influencing a generation of artists and contributing to the broader surrealist movement.
Salvador Dalí: Salvador Dalí was a prominent Spanish surrealist artist known for his bizarre and dreamlike imagery, exceptional technical skill, and flamboyant personality. His work often incorporated themes of subconscious exploration, unexpected juxtapositions, and meticulous attention to detail, making him a central figure in the surrealist movement and influencing various forms of art and culture.
Surrealist Manifesto: The Surrealist Manifesto is a foundational text for the Surrealist movement, written by André Breton in 1924, which outlines the principles and goals of Surrealism as a means to unlock the unconscious mind and explore dreams. This manifesto serves as a reaction to the rationalism that dominated art and culture after World War I, advocating for a new artistic expression that embraced irrationality and the unexpected.
Symbolism: Symbolism refers to the use of symbols to represent ideas, emotions, or concepts beyond their literal meaning. In the context of Surrealism, symbolism becomes a crucial element as artists and writers aim to express the unconscious mind, dreams, and deeper truths that defy rational explanation. This form of expression is deeply connected to various aspects of artistic and literary movements, exploring themes of the human psyche and the complexities of reality.
Taro Okamoto: Taro Okamoto was a prominent Japanese artist and avant-garde thinker known for his contributions to the Surrealist movement and his unique visual language that combined traditional Japanese aesthetics with modernist influences. He was a member of the Surrealist group in Paris during the 1930s and played a crucial role in introducing Surrealism to Japan, blending cultural elements and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Trotskyism and Breton: Trotskyism refers to the political theory based on the ideas of Leon Trotsky, advocating for permanent revolution and criticizing the bureaucracy of the Soviet Union. André Breton, a founding figure of Surrealism, had a complicated relationship with Trotskyism, reflecting the tension between artistic innovation and revolutionary politics within the Surrealist movement. The intersection of these two ideas reveals how Surrealism engaged with political discourse while seeking to challenge conventional artistic norms.
Veristic surrealism: Veristic surrealism is a movement within surrealism characterized by an emphasis on hyper-realistic detail and the depiction of dreamlike scenes that challenge reality. It merges the precision of realism with the fantastical elements of surrealism, leading to artworks that seem plausible yet evoke a sense of the uncanny, blurring the lines between what is real and what is imagined.
Wifredo Lam: Wifredo Lam was a Cuban painter and sculptor, known for blending Surrealism and Afro-Cuban elements in his art. His work is characterized by the use of vivid colors, symbolic figures, and a unique fusion of cultures, particularly reflecting his mixed heritage of Chinese, African, and Spanish ancestry. Lam played a significant role in the Surrealist movement and is recognized for expressing themes of identity, spirituality, and the intersection of different cultural influences.
Yves Tanguy: Yves Tanguy was a French surrealist painter known for his dreamlike landscapes and abstract forms, characterized by a unique use of color and an otherworldly quality. His work is often associated with themes of the subconscious and the exploration of inner visions, which connect deeply to various artistic movements and techniques, including decalcomania, neo-surrealism, and broader surrealist groups.