Surrealism at 100

Surrealism is one of the movements that has had the biggest impact on the vast canvas of art history for decades. Let’s dive into the wild and wonderful world of Surrealism, an art movement that has been loud, enigmatic, and audacious in creating art and is setting a milestone of a century. Going back to the early 1900s, Europe just came out from World War I, and it was a boiling mess. Amid all that chaos, a group of art lovers dug deep into their creative minds, trying to find some sense and solace in the madness.

André Breton: The Architect of Surrealism," The New European. Getty Images

Origins of a New Revolution

Enter André Breton, this French man with a flair for poetry and philosophy. In 1924, he dropped the “Surrealist Manifesto,” and boom – that’s how the art revolution began. Breton was all about ditching logic and reason, and he urged his comrades to be irrational and dive into the unexplored depths of creativity lurking in their psyche. Surrealism is like a wild ride through dreamland, where every day gets a twist of the fantastical.

Initially, it was all about a literary movement. But before you knew it, Surrealism painted the town red, and blue, and green, and every color of the imagination, making it an artistic phenomenon. It’s not just about pretty pictures; it’s got this cheeky side-eye at politics and makes you think twice about the world around you. So, what are the rules and regulations of Surrealism? That’s the interesting part – there are no rules! Artists get to play with all sorts of mediums and styles, doing whatever floats their creative boats, giving them unparalleled liberty over their art.

Surrealism isn’t the only thing that sticks. It’s in painting, music, acting, film – you name it. It’s not about how you create; it’s about your story. As Joyce Mansour said, it is the artist’s take on life that transcends, not the brush stroke. Surrealism has always been a mobile movement and is trending worldwide, inspiring artists from Mexico City to Paris to India. It’s like a “creative germ” that’s constantly evolving. From the roaring ’20s to the digital age, surrealism has become an arena for artists to let their inner child out.

You’ve got Frida Kahlo in Mexico, mixing self-portraits with a dash of excess and a sprinkling of folk art. Kahlo’s work often explored themes of identity, pain, and female experience. Then there’s René Magritte in Belgium, who makes paintings that make you question everything and even challenge the perception of reality and the ordinary of our surroundings. This diverse range of Surrealist artists among many others shows just how far Surrealism had spread.

The Legacy Forward

Fast forward to today, and surrealism is still on the go. In our present chaos-filled world, it’s like a warm blanket that allows us to blur the lines between reality and our fantasies. Like how Robin Williams said in Dead Poets Society, “Medicine law business engineering these are noble pursuits necessary to sustain life. But poetry, art, beauty, romance, love these are what we stay alive for.” Surrealism is a breath of fresh air from a world that’s almost gone mad, a reminder to embrace the surprises and find wonder in the unknown, moreover, Carpe Diem or Seize the Day.

So, back in the day, Surrealism was like the cool rebel of the rationalist and socialist art world. It was all about disregarding the usual way of thinking and rejecting reason and accepting the wild stuff in our subconsciousness, making it still relevant to question the norms of the present society. It shook things up and got people thinking differently, and it’s still inspiring folks who like to do things the unconventional way.

Also, Surrealism wasn’t afraid to dive deep into the mind, poking around in dreams and emotions. It’s like a way of self-exploration and expression, which is the need of the hour now that we’re all talking more about mental health.

And let’s not forget how Surrealism’s been playing mix-and-match with different art forms. It’s like a creative blender, mixing up performance, film, photography, and writing into one delicious smoothie of innovation. In our digital world, where everything’s mashed together, Surrealism’s still leading the charge, showing us how to break down walls and make real art.

So, there you have it – a century of Surrealism, still as fresh and wild as its beginnings. It’s a way of looking at life, with a twinkle in the eye and a dream in the heart. Here’s to another century of marvelous, mind-bending magic. Cheers.

Julien Boudet, British Vogue.