TOPIC+Surrealism

 Surrealism declares that it is able, by its own means, to uproot ** SURREALISM, n. Psychic automatism in its pure state, by which one proposes to express—verbally, by means of the written word, or in any other manner—the actual functioning of thought. Dictated by thought, in the absence of any control exercised by reason, exempt from any aesthetic or moral concern.
 * Taken from Andre Breton's Surrealist Manifesto:

"My intention was merely to mark a point by noting the hate of the marvelous which rages in certain men, this absurdity beneath which they try to bury it. Let us not mince words: the marvelous is always beautiful, anything marvelous is beautiful, in fact only the marvelous is beautiful." Young's Nights are Surrealist from one end to the other; unfortunately it is a priest who is speaking, a bad priest no doubt, but a priest nonetheless. Swift is Surrealist in malice. Sade is Surrealist in sadism. Chateaubriand is Surrealist in exoticism. Constant is Surrealist in politics. Hugo is Surrealist when he isn't stupid. Desbordes-Valmore is Surrealist in love.

Bertrand is Surrealist in the past. Rabbe is Surrealist in death. Poe is Surrealist in adventure. Baudelaire is Surrealist in morality. Rimbaud is Surrealist in the way he lived, and elsewhere. Mallarmé is Surrealist when he is confiding. Jarry is Surrealist in absinthe. Nouveau is Surrealist in the kiss. Saint-Pol-Roux is Surrealist in his use of symbols. Fargue is Surrealist in the atmosphere. Vaché is Surrealist in me. Reverdy is Surrealist at home. Saint-Jean-Perse is Surrealist at a distance.Roussel is Surrealist as a storyteller.

Andre Breton was the ring-leader of the Surrealism movement throughout France. He was the composer and conductor for the collaboration of Surrealists, acting as the glue to keep all of the strongly opinionated and highly spirited artists of all backgrounds on the same page. We found the most interesting paradox of the Surrealist movement was that the Father of Surrealism himself was trying to control the output from his fellow Surrealists. Throughout his manifesto he preaches the importance of non-conformity and how being unique is key to living a meaningful life; yet this was exactly what he was attempting to do by forcing other Surrealists to focus on aiding his pro-communist propaganda journals.

The only thing truly holding this group together was every member's interest in the progressive yet realistic thought processes that allow for multiple layers of perspective on reality and the psychology behind our choices.

Symbolists: Paul Valery, Stephanie Mallarmem, Saint-Pol Roux Dadaists: Tristan Tzara, Hans/Jean Arp, Francis Picabia Scientific Influences: Pataphysics (Aflred Jarry, Jacques Vaché), Alchemy (Nicholas Flamel, Paracelsus, Giodorno Bruno, Hegel), Philosophy (Eliphas Levi), Psychologists (Pierre Janet, Freud)



Literature Art Film Theatre Music

There was a constant tension between Breton and the other political activists, and all the other members of the Surrealist group that wanted to focus on the beauty of the dreamscapes for the sake of art. Breton had an extreme view on politics and believed Surrealism should be used as the medium for the message. The ethics of Surrealism in Breton’s eyes could be used as a coercive way to entice members from all levels of society to stray from the normal way of thinking and find ulterior ways to face society and its culture. Yet many of the Surrealists were content with expressing how their own personal lives were affected by interpreting dream-like sequences and applying those lessons to their individual lives. It was not the ends, but the means that drew them in. This clash is one that ultimately ended the Surrealist movement’s active impact on society, yet it has grown to affect many artists and musicians to this day. The bottom line is that each individual has their own way to interpret their dream’s impact on their daily life. Some dream in space, yet some don’t dream at all.

Similar to Dada, Surrealism’s a difficult concept to apply to everyday life. They find common ground where both are rejecting the straightforward approach to life and the polite and politically correct way to handle societal situations. After World War 1, the artists of these movements were so disgusted with the tragedies committed during the war that their only way to cope with the world’s rationale was to destroy all forms of rational and accept the absurd as the truth. Doing so would cause such an uproar (as the audience in the Cabaret Voltaire can attest)to its audiences that when they tried to rationalize such absurdities as the truth, they would hopefully be able to see the parallels between absurdities as an aesthetic and the ridiculous state that the world’s actions during the war.

 The Triumph of Andre Breton and Surrealism by Shala Rosa http://www.surrealismnow.com/andrebretonbysrosa.html


 * Works Cited**

"Artists By Movement:Surrealism". Art Cyclopedia. 4/27/10 . // Joan Miro //. Artelino Japanese, 1993. Web. 6 May 2010. .

"Salvador Dali, the Famous Surrealist Painter." //EmptyEasel.com: Painting Tips, Artist// //Reviews, Selling Art Online and More//. Web. 06 May 2010. .

// Site Officiel De L'artiste Francis Picabia //. 12 Jan. 2010. Web. 6 May 2010. .

"**Surrealism**." __Encyclopædia Britannica__. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 06 May. 2010 < [] >.

Misek, Richard. "Jean Cocteau." //Senses of Cinema// (2004): n. pag. Web. 1 May 2010. .