1. Surrealism
PROJECT
The point at which the waking state joins sleep -André Breton
DATE
DECEMBER 14, 2011
CLIENT
LEE HONORS COLLEGE SENIOR THESIS

2. What is surrealism?
Dictionary.com definition: noun - a style of art and literature developed principally in the 20th century, stressing the subconscious or non- rational significance of imagery arrived at by automatism or the exploitation of chance effects, unexpected juxtapositions, etc.
“Pure psychic automatism, by which one proposes to express, either verbally, in writing, or by any other manner, the real functioning of thought. Dictation of thought in the absence of all control exercised by reason, outside of all aesthetic and moral preoccupation.” -André Breton

3. History of surrealism
Started in the 1920s in Europe with a group of Dada artists, prominently in Paris, by poet and writer André Breton.
Started with interpretations of Sigmund Freud’s findings about the human psyche.
Surrealist Manifesto - written by André Breton in 1924 to describe the influences and what exactly surrealism is.
Surrealist Automatism - a creative process where one sits and writes exactly what comes to mind. This should reflect the artists’ subconscious without censorship or pre-conceived ideas.

4. History - continued
Surrealism expanded into different forms of art and different places through the world around the World War II period. Though production was slowed, more people discovered the style.
Many artists fled Europe and came to the U.S., thus bringing surrealism to American artists.
Arguments surround whether the surrealist movement came to an end with Breton’s death in 1966, with Dalí’s death in 1989, or if it has yet to end.
Elements of the original surrealism are evident today, but it has changed greatly since Breton’s day.

5. Famous surrealists André Breton - Founder of Surrealism; writer/poet
Joan Miró - Surrealist painter
Salvador Dalí - Surrealist painter and filmmaker
Jean Cocteau - Surrealist filmmaker
Luis Buñuel - Surrealist filmmaker

6. Surrealist Film
Serials - films in early surrealist times that contained cliffhangers and ‘other world’ elements. The genre usually gave a feeling of mystery and suspense for its’ audience.
Film was a clear choice to exhibit the surrealist style as it was seen as a type of dream itself. During the early 20th century, film was still young and relatively mysterious to the audiences of the world.
“The film seems to be the involuntary imitation of the dream” - Luis Buñuel

7. Surrealist film elements
There are no set rules for making surrealist films but some common elements are:
Defying ‘normal’ filmmaking rules such as the 180 degree rule, lighting techniques, order of scenes, continuity editing, etc.
Using dreamlike sequences that seem like reality
Different camera angles and shots
Exploring unconventional techniques in visuals and audio
Cause disorientation and confusion for the audience.

8. Examples of surrealist films
Un Chien Andalou (The Andalusian Dog) - Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel
1929 French film; Black and White; Silent film; 16 minutes
Orphée (Orpheus) - Jean Cocteau
1950 French film; Black and White; 95 minutes
The Seventh Seal - Ingmar Bergman
1957 Swedish film; Black and White; 96 minutes

9. Now that you know what surrealism is, onto our feature presentation.