Surrealism – The Early Years
Surrealism was a movement that was very creative and created a big buzz in the world right from 1920. But surrealism made itself involved in various forms that include politics, music, film and literature. Not only as an art, it created an impact but also as a philosophy and a statement that created a huge revolution. Surrealism was a response to the World’s participation in the First World War which turned out to be a big terror for the people.
Andre Breton was the leader of surrealism and some of the writers contributed to the movement. They were Roger Vitrac, Louis Aragon, Simone Breton, Philippe Soupault, Gala luard, Paul luard, Max Ernst, Benjamin Pret, Man Ray, Ren Crevel, Hans Arp, Robert Desnos, Georges Malkine, Jacques Baron, Jacques Baron, Michel Leiris, Max Morise, Georges Limbour, Marcel Noll, Antonin Artaud, Pierre Naville, Joan Mir, Jacques Prvert, Andr Masson, Yves Tanguy, Raymond Queneau.
Surrealism as mentioned above was also in films. Many surrealist films were released and some of them were L’ge d’Or from 1930, Un chien andalou from 1929, Entr’acte from 1924, Le sang d’un pote form 1930, La Coquille et le clergyman from 1928.
In order to be more fiction oriented, surrealism was twisted got characterized as elements that were more realistic. Surrealism connected abstract and reality. It acts as a cross between fantasy and reality. Surrealism was required to play with human psyche. Artists who briefed about this art were Grgoire Michonze, Valentine Hugo, Giorgio de Chirico, Salvador Dali, Alberto Giacomett, Mret Oppenheim, Luis Buuel, Enrico Donati and Toyen.
Surrealism and its political philosophy that was carried throughout its art spread from Europe to North America, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and parts of Asia. It was extremely popular throughout Latin America and it impacted Argentina the most with many great surrealist artists coming from the said country. Surrealism began in the 20s in Europe and apparent in the Americas until the late 60s. There have been major art exhibitions which highlighted surrealism and are very noteworthy.
In the 20s, La Peinture Surrealiste exhibition was in France in 1925 and also the Galerie Surraliste was held in 1926. During the 30s, the number of exhibitions that took place increased. They were the the London International Surrealist exhibition in London in 1936, , Dada and Surrealism in New York in 1936, Fantastic Art and the International Surrealist Exhibition in 1938 was in Paris. In the 40s, some of the exhibitions were the First Papers of Surrealism that took place in New York in 1943 and the International Surrealist Exhibition in 1949 was also held in Paris in 1959. The final exhibition was held in New York in the year 1960 which was named to be the Surrealist Intrusion in the Enchanters’ Domain.
Surrealism has had an impact on the world not just for its new style of art but for the hidden (or not so much) political messages of generally Marxism, socialism and communism that was portrayed in the artwork.
Filed under: Writing & Speaking