Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings.Surrealism developed out of the Dada activities during World War I and the most important center of the movement was Paris. From the 1920s onward, the movement spread around the globe, eventually affecting the visual arts, literature, film, and music of many countries and languages, as well as political thought and practice, philosophy, and social theory.
How did it begin?
Surrealism was largely founded by artists and writers who had been part of, or influenced by, the Dada group. Both were essentially reactions to the irrationality and destruction of WW1. Many of the social structures and normalities of pre 1914 Europe were seen to be breaking down and many artists started questioning the nature of "reality", the Surrealists by exploring dreams and sub-conscious thought. You'll get more detail by searching "origins of Surrealism" or something like that, I'm just relying on memory.
Who were the main contributors?
The worlds most famous Surrealist painter was Salvador Dali. However the person who founded Surrealism was Andre Breton but he was a surrealist writer. Some famous painters included:
Man Ray, Rene Magritte, Yves Tanguy, Francis Picabia, Salvador Dali, Georgio De Chirico and Max Ernst.Disdaining rationalism and literary realism, and powerfully influenced by Sigmund Freud, the Surrealists believed the conscious mind repressed the power of the imagination, weighting it down with taboos. Influenced also by Karl Marx, they hoped that the psyche had the power to reveal the contradictions in the everyday world and spur on revolution.
What are the Elements of Surrealism in movies?
I notice that most Surreal Movies have unusual weather patterns. Also, I notice that most of these Surreal Films have dream sequence that the protagonist seems to be aware of the dream state.
Surrealist (Rene Magritte)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO5zKbnjbsk
Tim Walker
Tim Walker is one of the most visually exciting and influential fashion photographers working today. Extravagant in scale and ambition and instantly recognisable for their eye-opening originality, Walker’s photographs dazzle with life, colour and humour. His recent work is drawn from the pages of the world’s leading magazines: British, French, American and Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, W and The New Yorker among many others.
Surrealist Wonderland?
Tim Walker Moving Image (video, watch)
Tim Walker’s photographs have entranced the readers ofVogue, month by month, for over a decade. Extravagant staging and romantic motifs characterise his unmistakable style. After concentrating on the photographic still for 15 years, Walker is now also making moving film.
On graduation in 1994, Walker worked as a freelance photography assistant in London before moving to New York City as a full time assistant to Richard Avedon. On returning to England, he initially concentrated on portrait and documentary work for UK newspapers. At the age of 25, he shot his first fashion story for Vogue and has continued to work to much acclaim ever since.
Tim Walker Exhibition
Tim Walker: Story Teller showcases 175 of Walker’s most fantastical works from the pages of the world’s leading magazines: British, French, American and Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, W and The New Yorker among many others.
Returning from Tim Walker newly opened Story Teller exhibition at SomerSet House I enjoyed aspects of the exhibition and thought the overall of the exhibition pulled me into that fairytale emotion that surrealists create. Walkers images are amazing in colour and lightning and his ideas are superbly thought through.Walker is an editorial photographer working for global fashion magazines so his work was quite commercial. The exhibition space inside Somerset House was simply thrilling dotted with surreal props from Walkers shoots.As a recent review of the exhibition in The Independent said “It’s a world where magic exists and, though darkness threatens, it is never ugly. Beauty rules here, because it is fashion, after all.”
Fantastic Voyage: Great Moments in Surrealist Fashion
In the 80-odd years since the broadside was issued, many free-thinking designers have looked at clothing through a twisted, unexpected lens, including Elsa Schiaparelli.Surrealism is a movement in art and literature that flourished in the early 20 century. The attempt was to change perceptions of the world by expressing imaginative dreams and visions free from conscious rational control. Salvadore Daliwas one of the most influential surrealist artist.
I am a huge fan of him and I absolutely adore his art; no matter in which format –his painting, his sculptures, his interior design, his fashion, his performance… To me, he is the Godfather of Surrealism. I also truly believe that a true artist has a playful spirit inside, that makes them so full of imagination. Dali has made him such a popular art icon by his eccentric way of expressing himself. It showed through his work of art. I also love his “logo” – the mustache!
From the 20 century art movement to today’s perception of reality. What began as a fashion experiment with a contemporary-art movement has become a source of inspiration for ready-to-wear and fast-fashion labels worldwide.Surrealism is a fantastic way to interpret the way you feel, emotions through clothes. It makes the garment stand out more & its good to know that surrealism is in everything, such as fashion and just not in art paintings.
