The Age of Surrealism - Case Study Example

Surrealism: Where Reality and Dream Collide `Art as defined is the expression of one self. It defines one’s thoughts, emotions, psychological state and other socio-cultural conditions of the artist. With respect to honest and pure expressionism, it is no doubt that the age of Surrealism perfectly equates what art is all about. Surrealism is the age of profound expressionism of the soul. Surrealism started as a literary movement in the late 1910s. Breton, being the forerunner of Surrealist movement aims to capture the unconscious and subconscious through automatic writing. The automatism of writing then explored the visual art. This later gave birth to various Surrealist artists such as Max Ernst, Andre Masson, Joan Miro and Man Ray (Voorhies). With the expansion of the movement, other artists joined them such as Belgian artist Rene Magritte, Dan Flavin, Cy Twomby and many more. Various exhibitions and movements were done by the Surrealists such as Magritte’s The Mystery of the Ordinary, Restospective by Dan Flavin, Cy Twombly Gallery, Richmond Hall and the famous Menil Collection. Menil Collection is a significant art exhibit event in the 20th century which featured the various art works highlighting the Surrealist works. There are around 15,000 works where some dated back in the early Paleolithic century. The significant collection of arts of John and Dominique de Menil is largely composed of Surrealism work of art. They delight in the creative form and complex style of this art. Surrealism’s concept of unfathomable mystery portrayed elusively in visual form has greatly made the Menil Collection popular among the curious viewers (Menil). The Menil Collection is no typical type of art exhibit. Instead, it divulges the liberation of art and the manner by which they are organized. Just like the exhibition of Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary, it showcases unconventional work of art which is truly appreciated by those who understand what the art is all about. Magritte’s works reveals works that are visually simple with bold and flat colors accessed in large planes but curiously grotesque and captivating (Brittain). To perceive a work of art which is a product of the Surrealist movement is truly difficult. It is like looking at the mind of the artist and getting the hidden message through his imagery. Surrealism is all about the expression of the unconscious and the subconscious part of man. Generally, the themes of the paintings revolve around the Eros and Thanatos concepts of life (Turkel). Love and death are the universal concerns of humanity. They are the issues that are mostly held by each individual. The brush strokes of the artists are dictated by the subconscious and conscious part of their mind in accordance to the strength of what is really inside their heart, mind and soul. Painters of this art aim to make art of life and vice versa. Their works are highly influenced by the psychological concepts on Freud. To understand their works is like interpreting dreams. The visual output of surreal art is enriched with juxtaposition and symbolism. Their arts are soulful expressions of what is really inside of them but they are revealed in such a way that forms and symbols connote deeper meanings. The simplicity of their art is paradoxically intertwined with higher level of knowledge to unfold their story. Understanding and interpreting Surrealist painting involves complex ideas related to the psychological state of mind. As their works are reflections of their thoughts and minds in the purest intention, it is hard to examine this dimension. It involves human spiritual understanding and socio-cultural knowledge of the creator. Their works can’t be generalized into a single conclusion. They are judged and criticized as per output painting that they reveal to the public. Mark Rothko, one of the Surrealist artists has created several visual arts that are worth thinking. One of his works “The Red Studio” has evaded the conventional way of art. He painted nature- the cityscape in his own interpretation. He used shapes and extraordinary colors. The absence of outlines in his work is his way of defying edges liberating himself with boundaries. The combination of colors and shapes is his way of expressing emotions such as tragedy and destiny. He has made the abstract shapes come alive with mystical and spiritual touch. He has a way of capturing nature, like sunlight in his canvass through the use of the powerful color combinations. The voice of his brush strokes echoes to the hearts and soul of those who understand. Some of his works depicts depression and utter loneliness. His biomorphic paintings speak his life and his tragic destiny. In fact, he ended his life through suicide. Rene Magritte has various Surrealist works of art that deserves merit not just on the aesthetic value but also as a reflection of psychological mind pathway. Themes of love, sexual desires and death are strongly revealed in his works. His paintings are mostly representations of the subconscious part that appear like dreams or hallucinations. Many of his works show half waking states. He experimented and explored tactics such as transformation, misnaming objects, juxtaposition, vision representation and other adventurous techniques. One of his works, Pleasure exemplifies subconscious part of mind. It portrayed the eros as one of the human driving factor of life. This painting is said to be a reenactment of the story of Adam and Eve (Turkel). The imagery of Surrealist paintings creates visual fantasy as a result of the subconscious mind being portrayed on canvass. Generally, these paintings are not judged according to their aesthetic value alone. However, aesthetic essence is not totally absent. Instead, they supplement the hidden meanings that go beyond what is seen. The main concern of the works is not in the forms and colors. Surrealism is life in art. It is a revolutionary way of revealing the other dimension of human consciousness – the subconscious. The visual artwork is a product of the collision of sub-consciousness and consciousness. The Surrealist intention to express the sub-conscious part through automatism with simultaneity of consciousness produces an output that is beyond aesthetic consideration. The paintings are heavily burdened with deep meanings. They are not just junks that are for the eyes only. Rather they are works worth appreciating. Surrealism is intense art as they bypass the conventional manner of doing visual art. Surrealist paintings are appreciated with the effects they have on the viewers. Mostly, these paintings come alive through the various techniques of the artists. It is up to the viewers of the paintings how they perceive the message hidden in the art. Some would be able to relate deeply with their works as they are strong and profound reflections of life. Every canvass reveals a story. Every stroke tells a monologue of emotions. The strong strikes of colors and abstract shapes connote symbolism related with psychological interpretation. Life is mirrored in their works as raw emotions shriek upon them. It strikes viewers not with aesthetic purposes but with deep impact getting into the heart and soul. The works of the Surrealist are non-ephemeral and truly priceless. The collision of reality and dreams depicted in canvass speaks to the soul of humanity that would continue to echo from generation to generation. Works Cited Brittain, AL. This Brain Teasing MoMa Exhibit Will Challenge Your Reality. Policymic.com. Sept 30,2013. Web. 13 March 2014. Menil Collection. My GayHuoston.com. Web. 13 March, 2014. Turkel, D.G. The Message of Surrealist Art: Automatism, Juxtaposition, and Dreams. European History AP. June 2009. Web. 14 March 2014. Vooriehies, James. “Surrealism”. The Department of European Paintings. Te Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2013. Web. 12 March 2014. Read More