The World of Surrealism

Surrealism has become a part of everyday life, found in both the media and the arts throughout the world.

Surrealism is very distinct type of art, easily identified by the surprising elements and juxtapositions that frequently occur in the surrealist art pieces. Surrealism is based on allowing sub-conscious images to surface undisturbed by rational thought processes, and captured through art.

Some surrealistic artists thought automatism was the only way to truly capture the unconscious, while others felt the subconscious images should be interpreted.

Surrealism has roots in Paris, beginning in the 1920's. As World War I became a major force in Europe, artists based in Paris moved around the globe. Many of the artists who were involved in surrealistic movement held many of the same ideas that the war and other conflicts were caused by intensive rational beliefs, and that bourgeois values had caused this great conflict.

During and after WWI, artists became more involved in surrealism. The Dada movement brought artists to anti-rational, anti-art movements, which continued long after the war was over, eventually evolving into surrealism.

The impact of World War I is evident in the rebellious art that took the place of abstract art. Originally, the artists attempted to defy society by creating anti-art, but instead found surrealism was embraced by the very society it attempted to defy.

Surrealism focuses on opening the senses to new beliefs, and many drew inspiration from other sciences, such as philosophy, sociology and psychology. Freud's interpretation of dreams was an especially important work to artists involved in surrealism. Dreams are often lacking in reason, a state of mind that surrealism embraces.

Surrealism encompasses many art forms, including automatic writing, paintings and sculptures. Surrealism often involves sharp color contrasts and an illustrative style, along with anti-rational themes or characters.

Surrealism also became part of literature, and many artists used a particular style to write pieces of surrealism. Surrealistic writings are often lacking in coherence; instead a distinctive, nonsensical syntax and grammar make up the piece.

Surrealistic artists strove to identify art as a distinct way of perceiving reality, and many attempted to make others stop and think about how they viewed the world. For example, language was viewed as more of a barrier than a reality, since all people do not share the same language. Surrealism instead focused on the poetic and philosophical meanings of art, rather than their literal interpretation.

Surrealism began in the 1020's and is still very alive today. Art galleries across the world offer original surrealist paintings for sale, many of which embody the thought-provoking style of the 1920's surrealistic artists.

When you buy surrealistic art, you should look for pieces that speak to you personally. Surrealism is focused on expansion; physically, mentally and emotionally. Surrealism was thought of as a way to speak to people on an intellectual level, although not a rational one.

Explore the world of surrealism, shop for surrealist paintings, and learn more about famous surrealist artists such as Salvador Dali at Daliesque Art.