Surrealism:-
Surrealism is a type of art and cultural movement that developed in Europe after World War I. In here, artists aimed to allow the unconscious mind to express itself which often resulted in the depiction of illogical or dreamlike scenes and ideas. Surrealism can be seen in painting, writing, photography, and other artistic mediums.
The most distinct thing that makes art surreal is the artwork being beyond reality. This artwork combines unconsciousness and reality and renders it into surprisingly marvellous canvases. Surreal art aspires toward the liberation of the mind and artistic expression. In most artwork by surreal artists, a thing’s actual physical appearance would need a deeper and unconscious view to reveal the real demonstration. (Accardi)
André Breton is often considered the founder of Surrealism. Breton wrote the “Surrealist Manifesto” in 1924, outlining the movement’s principles and goals.
The persistence of memory by Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí is also known for his eccentric and dreamlike paintings. Dalí was one of the most prominent figures associated with Surrealism. His works often featured bizarre, fantastical imagery.
The Son of Man by René Magritte
René Magritte is another artist renowned for his enigmatic and thought-provoking paintings. Magritte explored the relationship between words and images, reality and representation. His paintings often incorporated everyday objects in unexpected contexts, creating a sense of surrealism that questioned the nature of reality itself.
The purpose of Surrealism was to liberate the mind from the shackles of reason and logic, allowing artists and writers to express their innermost thoughts and emotions freely. It aimed to challenge societal norms, question reality, and delve into the deeper recesses of the human psyche. Ultimately, Surrealism aimed to transform consciousness and inspire new ways of thinking about art, society, and the human experience. To know more about it, check out the video given below:-
Given below are images of surrealism that I have created with the help of Google’s AI Gemini.
Dadaism:-
Dadaism is an artistic movement from the early 20th century. It predates surrealism and with its roots in a number of major European artistic capitals. Developed in response to the horrors of WW1 the dada movement rejected reason, rationality, and order of the emerging capitalist society. It favours chaos, nonsense, and anti-bourgeois sentiment.
There is some disagreement as to where Dada was founded. Many believe that the movement first developed in the Cabaret Voltaire, an avant-garde nightclub in Zurich, others claim a Romanian origin. What is clear is that there was a pan European sensibility emerging during WW1, especially during 1916, and that clear adherents the main themes can be identified in Zurich, Berlin, Paris, Hanover, Cologne, the Netherlands and even as far away as New York.
The most renowned Dada artists are Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, Man Ray, George Grosz, Otto Dix, and Tristan Tzara.
Hugo Ball performed his sound poetry Karawane in 1916 and then Katzen and Pfauen in 1916. They consisted of incomprehensible sounds, not words with meaning. Ball was no amateur to theater and performance when he took the Cabaret Voltaire stage. He had previously studied acting in school. This being said, the art came from the sounds and this lack of meaning, not his acting skills. Ball also wore interesting costumes, such as the one pictured above, but this visual aspect was always considered secondary to the sound. This costume has become synonymous with the Dada movement and a classic image in art history. (Lewis)
To know more about the history of Dadaism, you can check out this article by Paul Trachtman - “A Breif History of Dada”.
To know more about this movement, you can watch the video given below:-
Inspired from this movement, I’ve captured a few photographs. You can see them here:-
In this image, we can see a plant growing out of a Tea Cup. This combination is done in order to highlight the absurdity of every day objects and their supposed purpose. The juxtaposition of the organic plant and the man made cup also symbolises the tension between nature and human civilisation.
Through this picture, I have tried to encourage the viewers, to contemplate, the themes of identity, beauty and traditional notions of art. The faceless statue is used to symbolise the loss of identity. As one can see, that the statue is placed on a wooden column, which evoke the theme of contradiction between natural and artificial elements. The white flowers used as oversized necklace shows the superficiality of adornment as well as societal expectations of beauty. The flower necklace also disrupts the sense of proportion, adding an absurd quality to the image.
Aside from that, I’ve also attempted to write a Dadaist Poetry. You can read it here:-
“ray of sunshine that dances in the night sky, does it know about the pink treEs and liquid butterflies?
the river that flows through the emPty desert, can it recite the words spoken by non-existent wInd chimes?
the rocks that are susPended in the air, do they cry wHen snow fAlls in summertime?
wheN shoes walk by themselves, do they paY their respects to the polka-dotted clouds?”
This poem incorporates nonsensical imagery and juxtaposes unexpected concepts, such as a "ray of sunshine dancing in the night sky" and "liquid butterflies." These surreal and contradictory images challenge traditional notions of reality and meaning, aligning with the Dadaist rejection of conventional logic and coherence.
Additionally, the poem questions the boundaries between natural elements and human constructs, such as rivers reciting words and rocks crying, further emphasizing its absurd and playful nature. Overall, the poem captures the spirit of Dadaism by subverting traditional poetic conventions and embracing chaos and irrationality.
If one observes the poem, they can see that entire poem is written in small alphabets but some random capital letters are added. When these letters are organised, it makes up the word “EPIPHANY”. This is the title of this poem that is hidden in its structure.
Avant-Garde Movement :-
The avant-garde movement was a broad and diverse cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries across various artistic disciplines, including literature, visual arts, music, theater, and film. It was characterized by its rejection of traditional forms and conventions, its embrace of experimentation and innovation, and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Avant-garde is a French term that translates directly to “advance guard,” as in the first people to encounter/experience something new. When applied to a piece of work, the descriptor refers to something that pushes or breaks boundaries, innovates on techniques or aesthetics, or challenges the norm with radical or bizarre ideas and presentation. Avant-garde works are often experimental in nature and are sometimes reviled or condemned upon release for challenging the status quo and being highly provocative in nature. Ultimately, despite criticism, avant-garde works are often considered necessary to break new ground and move the needle in the long run in terms of artistic expression and creative freedom. (Kench)
To know more about this movement, check out this videos:-
Samuel Beckett’s shortest play “Breath”, is a prime example of avant-garde theatre due to its unconventional structure, minimalist approach, and exploration of existential themes. It's more of a dramatic piece or theatrical sketch rather than a traditional play with characters and dialogue. "Breath" consists of just 35 seconds of action, focusing on the sounds and movements of an unseen character, punctuated by a loud breath. It's often interpreted as an exploration of the fleeting nature of life and existence.
I have created my own interpretation of this play, which you can check out below:-
In the 30-second action, one can see many fictional and literary books spread out. At the end, one can also notice the unwritten page, symbolising the never-ending nature of Literature. Human life is limited and will end but literature is immortal as it is read and studied by future generation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 20th century stands as a testament to the boundless creativity and innovation of artistic movements such as Surrealism, Dadaism, and the Avant-garde. These movements challenged conventional norms, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and sparking societal introspection. From the dreamlike landscapes of surrealist masterpieces to the absurdity and chaos of Dadaist works, artists dared to defy traditional artistic conventions, paving the way for new forms of interpretation and understanding.
Through my exploration of these movements and my own artistic endeavours inspired by them, it becomes evident that their impact transcends mere aesthetic appreciation. They serve as catalysts for dialogue, prompting viewers to question the nature of reality, the role of art in society, and the boundaries of human imagination.
As we move forward into the 21st century, it is imperative to reflect on the lessons imparted by these avant-garde pioneers. Their fearlessness in the face of convention and their willingness to explore the depths of the human psyche continue to inspire artists and thinkers alike. In a world ever-changing and evolving, the spirit of Surrealism, Dadaism, and the Avant-garde reminds us to embrace experimentation, challenge the status quo, and never shy away from the unconventional.
Words - 1560
Images - 9
Videos - 4
References -
Accardi, Angelo. “What Is Surreal Art Definition?” Angelo Accardi, 9 May 2022, https://www.angeloaccardi.com/surreal-art/. Accessed 3 March 2024.
Kench, Sam. “What is Avant Garde — Movement, Artists & Works Explained.” StudioBinder, 7 August 2022, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-avant-garde-definition/. Accessed 3 March 2024.
Lewis, Jacqueline. “Hugo Ball: Founder of The Dada Movement.” TheCollector, 1 March 2020, https://www.thecollector.com/hugo-ball-founder-of-the-dada-movement/. Accessed 3 March 2024.
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