1. By Raymond Lanza and Brandon Vierra
Surrealism
By Raymond Lanza and Brandon Vierra

2. Characteristics
The best part is that there is really no set in stone rule for what qualifies as “Surrealism”
A focus on the exploration of dreams and the Unconscious mind, inspired by Sigmund Freud
Incorporating Mystery, marvel, mythological, and the irrational
Nothing was off the limits artists could explore their most innate desires, Hunger, sexual, dread, fear, etc.
The desire to go past what was socially acceptable makes something spontaneous, unique, and even plain “weird”
Pushes the boundaries of what is reality and what is imagination

3. Origins
Major Artistic movement of the 20th century that began in the 1920’s
Took cues from influential figures like Karl Marx, Picasso, and most importantly Sigmund Freud
A branch of an earlier movement, Dada which used abstract art as a way to rebel against intellectual and cultural conformity
Guillaume Apollinaire founded the word “Surrealism” in 1917 while describing a ballet, “The Parade” written by Picasso
André Breton is seen as “The Pope of Surrealism” by writing the Surrealist’s Manifesto, this officially sparked the Art movement when it was published in 1924
The movement began in Paris but soon spread throughout Europe

4. Historical Context
Thinking WW1 was caused by conformity and the lack of an opinion the movement called for the abstract and individualism
Freud's importance on dreams, innate sexual desires, and human emotions set up the basis for the movement
Borrowed from Romanticism because of the emphasis on nature
Influenced by Karl Marx, later in the movement surrealism was used to protest politically

5. Spread Across the World
Surrealism slowly grew regionally in Paris, France then found it’s way across Europe by the 1930’s
With the threat of WW2 around the corner many Surrealists worried about persecution because of their radical ideas.
This caused an influx of Surrealists to emigrate to the United States
Although the movement spread across North America Many challenges had occurred

6. A Partition Begins
Despite WW2 having have helped spread the movement globally it also created a great division.
During the war Existentialism gained traction which celebrated Surrealisms ideas of individualism but was less radical.
Once the two movements clashed Surrealism was split into several factions most notably the Bretonians who believed art in itself was political while others remained in America to continue the origins of the movement as highlighted in the manifesto.

7. Later Years
After WW2 and it’s effects on Europe the Cultural Center of the Movement shifted from Paris to New York
Surrealism took the New York art community by storm with it’s abstract nature being seen as something different.
Although the movement had died down by the 1960’s the most captivating thing about it is that it simply never really died
Traces of Surrealism can still be found in modern art today across the globe

8. Lobster Telephone –Salvador Dali, Edward James

9. The Persistence of Memory- Salvador Dali

10. The Menaced Assassin- René Magritte

11. Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening

12. The Great Masturbator Salvador Dali