SurrealismSurrealism

Looking into the SubconsciousLooking into the Subconscious

What is What is Surrealism?Surrealism?

A style in which A style in which fantastical visual fantastical visual imagery from the imagery from the

subconscious mind is subconscious mind is used with no used with no

intention of making intention of making the work logically the work logically comprehensible comprehensible

(artcylopedia.com)(artcylopedia.com)

Other Surrealism Facts: Other Surrealism Facts:

Began in Europe around 1924.Began in Europe around 1924. The Surrealism Movement ended in The Surrealism Movement ended in

the 1950’s.the 1950’s. Many artists still use Surrealist Many artists still use Surrealist

concepts in their artwork today. concepts in their artwork today. The movement was deeply influenced The movement was deeply influenced

by Freudian concepts and studies. by Freudian concepts and studies.

There are numerous artists There are numerous artists that belong to the Surrealism that belong to the Surrealism

Movement. We will be Movement. We will be studying: studying:

Rene Magritte Rene Magritte Salvador DaliSalvador Dali

Rene Rene MagritteMagritte

(1898-1976)(1898-1976)

Son of Man, 1964

Could this be a self portrait?

Magritte’s Techniques:Magritte’s Techniques:

Levitation: Floating objects.Levitation: Floating objects. Juxtaposition: Placing objects Juxtaposition: Placing objects

together that normally aren’t seen together that normally aren’t seen together.together.

Scale Changes: Making large objects Scale Changes: Making large objects small and vice versa.small and vice versa.

His realistic His realistic technique; his technique; his paintings look paintings look

almost like almost like photographs photographs

that have that have been cut and been cut and

pasted pasted together.together.

How?

Time Transfixed

Magritte Magritte created created

paintings paintings that made that made

the the impossible impossible

look look possible.possible.

Le Blanc Seing

Why doesn’t he include any Why doesn’t he include any faces in his paintings?faces in his paintings?

What do you think Magritte What do you think Magritte was trying to do with his was trying to do with his

paintings? paintings?

Do you think he was trying to Do you think he was trying to convey a message?convey a message?

Salvador DaliSalvador Dali(1904-1989)(1904-1989)

The Temptation of St.The Temptation of St.

AnthonyAnthony

Some additional Surrealist Some additional Surrealist techniques used by Dali: techniques used by Dali:

Metamorphosis: Changing one object Metamorphosis: Changing one object into another.into another.

Melting objects (such as clocks).Melting objects (such as clocks). Stretching objectsStretching objects

All of Dali’s paintings seem to All of Dali’s paintings seem to occur is this bright, colorful occur is this bright, colorful

world that almost seems world that almost seems unnatural.unnatural.

Swans Reflecting Elephants

Like Magritte, Dali wants you to Like Magritte, Dali wants you to believe that his paintings can be believe that his paintings can be

interpreted. interpreted.

Metamorphosis of Narcissus

The Ship, 1943

The Persistence of Memory,

1931

So, what does all this have So, what does all this have to do with Photography?to do with Photography?

Well, you get to do what the Well, you get to do what the Surrealist painters did, but Surrealist painters did, but

you don’t have to paint you don’t have to paint anything.anything.

You will be You will be creating creating

Surrealist Surrealist compositioncompositions, but with s, but with

your your photographphotograph

y.y.Like this one, which was done

with digital photos!

You will be required to: You will be required to:

Create 2 Surreal Compositions, using Create 2 Surreal Compositions, using your OWN digital photographs.your OWN digital photographs.

One composition you will create One composition you will create using Adobe Photoshop at school. using Adobe Photoshop at school.

One composition you will create One composition you will create using ArtWeaver, Gimp, or Paint.Net using ArtWeaver, Gimp, or Paint.Net at home. (This is free software that at home. (This is free software that you will download onto your home you will download onto your home computer). computer).

Your software choices: Your software choices: If you have a PC, you can choose one If you have a PC, you can choose one

from any of the three software from any of the three software choices.choices.

If you have a Mac, you can only If you have a Mac, you can only download GIMP.download GIMP.

I will give you directions for I will give you directions for downloading the software.downloading the software.

Composition Specifics: Composition Specifics: Each composition must combine at least Each composition must combine at least

5 of your own, original photographs.5 of your own, original photographs. You must cut out the objects and paste You must cut out the objects and paste

them as separate layers.them as separate layers. You must add filter to at least one of the You must add filter to at least one of the

layers.layers. You must change the color to at least You must change the color to at least

one of the layers.one of the layers. You must add shadows (where needed).You must add shadows (where needed). You must have floating objects, You must have floating objects,

juxtaposition, and scale changes.juxtaposition, and scale changes.

References: References:

Photos taken art.comPhotos taken art.com Information fromInformation from

Artcyclopedia.comArtcyclopedia.com Rene-magritte.orgRene-magritte.org Salvadordalionline.comSalvadordalionline.com authenticsociety.com/article/29authenticsociety.com/article/29 artic.edu/aic/education/trc/Magritte.pdfartic.edu/aic/education/trc/Magritte.pdf