Surrealism

This book explores Surrealism's influential ideas and practices, shaping our understanding of art, culture, and politics. It brings together artistic forms and intellectual traditions, revealing Surrealism's enduring influence on contemporary thought and culture. Its political position and international reach make it a significant avant-garde movement of the twentieth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive book delves into the core concepts and practices that have shaped Surrealism as a versatile and transformative intellectual and cultural movement. By engaging a diverse range of artistic mediums, including literature, manifestos, collage, photography, film, fashion, display, and collecting, the essays in this volume explore the enduring influence of Surrealism on contemporary thought and culture, alongside its strong anti-colonial political stance and global reach. Surrealism's fascination with innovative forms of cultural production and experimental approaches played a crucial role in its conceptual flexibility and temporal resilience, making it one of the most significant avant-garde movements of the 20th century. The book meticulously traces how Surrealism's urgent political and aesthetic provocations have left a lasting legacy for current scholarly pursuits in thing theory, critical vitalism, new materialism, ontology, and animal/human studies.

Surrealism emerged as a response to the horrors of World War I, with artists seeking to explore the depths of the human psyche and challenge the boundaries of reality. The movement was characterized by its use of dreamlike imagery, symbolism, and non-linear narrative, which allowed artists to express their fears, desires, and subconscious thoughts in a creative and cathartic way.

One of the key figures in Surrealism was André Breton, who published the manifesto "Surrealism is the Automatic Writing of the Mind" in 1924. This manifesto outlined the movement's core principles, including the importance of the subconscious, the rejection of reason, and the belief in the power of imagination. Breton's vision of Surrealism was deeply influenced by his readings in occultism, psychology, and philosophy, and he sought to create a new art form that could capture the essence of the human experience.

Surrealism quickly gained popularity in the art world, with artists from around the globe exploring its potential for political and social commentary. In the 1930s, the movement was particularly strong in France, where it was associated with the anti-fascist resistance movement and the communist party. Surrealist artists used their work to express their opposition to war, oppression, and social inequality, and to promote a sense.

Despite its political and social significance, Surrealism was also criticized for its elitism and its tendency to promote a narrow vision of reality. Some critics argued that the movement was too focused on the subjective experiences of the artist and lacked a broader social or political agenda. However, others argued that Surrealism was a powerful tool for challenging the dominant narratives of society and promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the world.

In conclusion, Surrealism was a transformative movement that fundamentally shifted our understanding of the relationship between art, culture, and politics. By exploring the depths of the human psyche

Surrealism emerged as a response to the horrors of World War I, with artists seeking to explore the depths of the human psyche and challenge the boundaries of reality. The movement was characterized by its use of dreamlike imagery, symbolism, and non-linear narrative, which allowed artists to express their fears, desires, and subconscious thoughts in a creative and cathartic way.

One of the key figures in Surrealism was André Breton, who published the manifesto "Surrealism is the Automatic Writing of the Mind" in 1924. This manifesto outlined the movement's core principles, including the importance of the subconscious, the rejection of reason, and the belief in the power of imagination. Breton's vision of Surrealism was deeply influenced by his readings in occultism, psychology, and philosophy, and he sought to create a new art form that could capture the essence of the human experience.

Surrealism quickly gained popularity in the art world, with artists from around the globe. The movement was particularly strong in France, where it was associated with the anti-fascist resistance movement and the communist party. Surrealist artists used their work to express their opposition to war, oppression, and social inequality, and to promote a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the world.

Despite its political and social significance, Surrealism was also criticized for its elitism and its tendency to promote a narrow vision of reality. Some critics argued that the movement was too focused on the subjective experiences of the artist and lacked a broader understanding of the broader world. However, others argued that Surrealism was a powerful tool for challenging the dominant narratives of society.

In conclusion, Surrealism was a transformative movement that fundamentally shifted our understanding of the relationship between art, culture, and politics. By exploring the depths of the human psyche.

Weight: 760g
Dimension: 234 x 158 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108495684