7.1 André Breton and the Surrealist Manifesto
3 min read•july 30, 2024
, the driving force behind , shook up the art world with his Surrealist Manifesto. He championed the power of mind, pushing artists to tap into dreams and automatic writing to unlock creativity.
Breton's ideas went beyond art, aiming to revolutionize society and human consciousness. He rejected reason and embraced the irrational, setting the stage for a movement that would influence art, literature, and culture for generations to come.
Surrealism's Key Principles
Psychic Automatism and the Unconscious
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- Surrealism defined as "pure psychic " emphasized importance of unconscious mind in artistic creation
- Rejected rational thought and logical reasoning in favor of embracing irrational, dream world, and realm of subconscious
- Advocated liberation of imagination from constraints of reason and morality
- Sought to resolve contradictions between dream and reality by creating new, absolute reality ("surreality")
- Emphasized use of automatic writing and drawing as techniques to access unconscious mind
- Automatic writing involved writing without conscious control or editing
- Automatic drawing encouraged spontaneous, unplanned mark-making
Political and Social Dimensions
- Positioned Surrealism as revolutionary movement aiming to transform art, society, and human consciousness
- Criticized bourgeois values and conventional artistic practices
- Called for radical reimagining of creative processes and role of artist in society
- Aligned with left-wing political ideologies (Marxism, anarchism)
- Sought to challenge and subvert societal norms and institutions
Artistic Techniques and Practices
- Promoted use of and unexpected combinations to create surprising imagery
- Encouraged exploration of dreams and altered states of consciousness as sources of inspiration
- Valued chance and randomness in artistic creation ( game)
- Embraced unconventional materials and found objects in artwork (, )
- Experimented with , , and other mixed-media techniques
André Breton's Role in Surrealism
Theoretical and Organizational Leadership
- Served as primary theorist and de facto leader of Surrealist movement
- Shaped philosophical and artistic direction through writings and organizational efforts
- Established foundational principles and goals of movement in Surrealist Manifesto
- Organized and led
- Central hub for Surrealist activities, experiments, and collaborations in Paris during 1920s
- Edited journal "La Révolution surréaliste" to curate and disseminate Surrealist ideas
- Continued to shape and redefine Surrealism through ongoing theoretical writings
- "" (1929)
- "" (1932)
Background and Influences
- Background in medicine and psychology significantly influenced approach to Surrealism
- Experience with shell-shocked soldiers during World War I informed emphasis on unconscious mind
- Drew inspiration from 's theories of and dream interpretation
- Influenced by earlier avant-garde movements (Dada, Cubism)
- Incorporated ideas from symbolist poetry and romantic literature
Leadership Style and Conflicts
- Often exhibited autocratic leadership style
- Led to conflicts within movement and expulsion of members who deviated from his vision
- Expelled Salvador Dalí in 1934 for political disagreements
- Clashed with Louis Aragon over involvement with Communist Party
- Maintained strict control over Surrealist group membership and activities
- Organized international Surrealist exhibitions and conferences
- Fostered collaborations between artists, writers, and intellectuals
Surrealist Manifesto's Significance
Impact on Avant-Garde Movements
- Represented significant shift in avant-garde thinking beyond formal experimentation
- Built upon and reacted to earlier movements (Dada) by providing more structured approach
- Influenced various artistic disciplines beyond visual art (literature, film, theater)
- Contributed to politicization of avant-garde by aligning with revolutionary ideals
- Challenged prevailing modernist ideals by rejecting rationalism and embracing irrational
- Provided model for subsequent avant-garde movements to define themselves through manifestos
- Influenced development of Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Fluxus
Interdisciplinary Influence
- Impact extended beyond arts into psychology, philosophy, and cultural studies
- Contributed to interdisciplinary nature of avant-garde thought
- Influenced development of art therapy and expressive arts practices
- Sparked interest in exploration of altered states of consciousness in scientific research
- Inspired new approaches to creativity and problem-solving in various fields
Legacy in Art and Culture
- Popularized concept of accessing unconscious mind for artistic inspiration
- Introduced surrealist techniques that continue to influence contemporary art practices
- Contributed to development of in literature
- Influenced advertising and popular culture through use of dream-like imagery
- Shaped understanding of relationship between art, psychology, and social change
- Encouraged questioning of reality and perception in broader cultural discourse
Key Terms to Review (22)
André Breton: André Breton was a French writer and poet best known as the founder of Surrealism, an influential cultural movement that sought to unlock the creative potential of the unconscious mind. His works and manifestos defined key principles of Surrealism, connecting various artistic mediums and fostering collaboration among major artists and writers in the 20th century.
Assemblage: Assemblage refers to a form of art that combines various objects, materials, and elements to create a cohesive work. This practice reflects a broader Modernist tendency to break away from traditional forms and embrace the idea of mixed media, often resulting in unexpected juxtapositions and meanings. The concept of assemblage connects to the exploration of space, perception, and identity in art, highlighting the interaction between disparate elements and the viewer's interpretation.
Automatism: Automatism is a technique used in art and literature that involves allowing the subconscious mind to express itself freely, often resulting in spontaneous and unplanned creations. This method seeks to bypass rational thought and control, allowing for a direct channel to the unconscious, which is integral to exploring themes of dreams and surrealism.
Bureau of surrealist research: The bureau of surrealist research was an organization established by André Breton and other surrealists in the 1920s to explore and promote the principles of surrealism through research and experimentation. This collective sought to investigate the unconscious mind, dreams, and the relationship between reality and imagination, aligning with the core ideas presented in the Surrealist Manifesto.
Collage: Collage is an artistic technique that involves assembling various materials, such as photographs, paper, fabric, and other found objects, into a single composition. This method reflects the cultural shifts and innovations of its time, showcasing the blending of different styles and mediums to create new meanings and narratives.
Communicating vessels: Communicating vessels refer to a concept where different containers share the same fluid level due to gravity and pressure equilibrium, symbolizing interconnectedness and fluidity in thought and expression. This idea resonates deeply in Surrealism, where it emphasizes the relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind, allowing for the free flow of ideas and emotions, as expressed in André Breton's Surrealist Manifesto.
Dadaism: Dadaism was an avant-garde art movement that emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against the horrors of World War I and the prevailing norms of art and culture. It embraced absurdity, chaos, and anti-art sentiments, challenging traditional artistic values and celebrating spontaneity and irrationality in creative expression.
Dream imagery: Dream imagery refers to the visual and sensory representations that evoke the experience of dreams, often characterized by surreal and illogical elements. In the context of certain movements, this form of imagery serves as a means to explore the subconscious mind, revealing hidden desires, fears, and emotions through unexpected juxtapositions and bizarre scenarios.
Exquisite corpse: The exquisite corpse is a collaborative drawing or writing game where multiple participants contribute to a single piece without knowing what others have added, resulting in surreal and unexpected combinations. This technique reflects the core tenets of Surrealism, emphasizing the unconscious mind and chance, as well as breaking conventional artistic boundaries.
First surrealist exhibition: The first surrealist exhibition, held in Paris in 1925, marked a pivotal moment for the surrealist movement, showcasing a variety of artworks that emphasized the exploration of the unconscious mind and dream imagery. This event was crucial for establishing surrealism as a distinct art movement and was heavily influenced by the ideas articulated in André Breton's Surrealist Manifesto, which promoted the liberation of thought through the embrace of irrationality and spontaneity.
Irrationality: Irrationality refers to the state of being unreasonable or lacking logic, often embraced in the context of Surrealism as a way to tap into the unconscious mind and explore deeper aspects of human experience. In this movement, irrationality is seen as a means to challenge conventional thought and express the surreal connections between dreams, emotions, and reality. This embrace of the illogical seeks to break free from societal constraints and traditional narrative forms.
Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is the placement of two or more elements side by side to highlight their differences or create an unexpected contrast. This technique is often used to enhance meaning, evoke emotions, and provoke thought by allowing audiences to see relationships and tensions between seemingly unrelated objects or ideas.
La révolution surrealiste: La révolution surrealiste refers to the artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily led by André Breton, which sought to challenge conventional norms and explore the unconscious mind through irrationality and dream-like imagery. This movement aimed to revolutionize not only art but also society by liberating individuals from the constraints of rational thought and societal expectations.
Magical realism: Magical realism is a literary and artistic movement where magical elements are blended into a realistic environment, creating a narrative that challenges the boundaries between fantasy and reality. This style often incorporates surrealist techniques, allowing ordinary events to take on extraordinary meanings and emphasizing the complexity of human experience. The genre's focus on everyday life intertwined with the fantastical often serves to highlight social, political, and cultural themes.
Marcel Duchamp: Marcel Duchamp was a French-American artist known for his influential contributions to modern art, particularly through his role in the Dada movement and the introduction of the concept of readymades. His work challenged traditional notions of art by placing everyday objects in an artistic context, provoking discussions about the definition and purpose of art itself.
Photomontage: Photomontage is an artistic technique that involves combining multiple photographs or images into a single composition, often to create surreal or thought-provoking visuals. This method reflects the innovative spirit of movements like Dada and Surrealism, utilizing juxtaposition and manipulation to challenge traditional perceptions of reality and express the chaos of modern life.
Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a psychological theory and therapeutic method developed by Sigmund Freud that seeks to understand the unconscious mind's influence on behavior, emotions, and thoughts. This approach emphasizes the importance of repressed memories and unresolved conflicts from childhood, which can manifest in various ways in adulthood. The connection of psychoanalysis to Modernism is significant, as many artists and writers of the period were inspired by its exploration of the human psyche, while Surrealists specifically aimed to tap into the unconscious to express deeper truths.
Readymades: Readymades are ordinary manufactured objects that an artist selects and designates as art, challenging traditional notions of artistic creation and value. This concept emerged prominently in the early 20th century, particularly associated with the Dada movement, as artists sought to question established norms in art and society. Readymades provoke thought about the role of the artist, the definition of art, and the context in which art exists.
Sigmund Freud: Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a method for treating mental illness and a theory of human behavior. His ideas about the unconscious mind, repression, and the significance of dreams heavily influenced various art movements, particularly Surrealism. Freud's exploration of the psyche provided a framework for artists to delve into the subconscious and challenge conventional perceptions of reality.
Surrealism: Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, aiming to unleash the creative potential of the unconscious mind through dreamlike imagery and unexpected juxtapositions. It connected deeply with the psychological theories of Freud and was a response to the devastation of World War I, reflecting broader historical shifts in culture and thought.
The Second Manifesto of Surrealism: The Second Manifesto of Surrealism, published in 1930 by André Breton, is a foundational text that further develops the principles and goals of the Surrealist movement. It expands on the themes introduced in the First Manifesto, emphasizing the importance of the unconscious mind, dreams, and the liberation of thought as pathways to artistic and social transformation.
The unconscious: The unconscious refers to a part of the mind that holds thoughts, memories, and desires that are not currently in conscious awareness but still influence behavior and emotions. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding human psychology, especially within the realms of art and literature, where it is often explored as a source of creativity and irrationality.