Does true uncensored inspiration come from the subconscious?
7,733 Words
(fig1)
Contents
Page
List of illustrations 4
INTRODUCTION 7
CHAPTER 1: Surrealism
The beginning 11
Automatism, Oneirology and Surrealist objects 12
Shared characteristics of different categories of humanity 18
CHAPTER 2: Dyslexia
Investigation into the similarities between dyslexia and Surrealism 22
Right brain drawing 27
CHAPTER 3: The Subconscious
Understanding the brain 29
The conscious and subconscious mind 32
CONCLUSION 34
Bibliography 38
List of illustrations
Figure 1
Dalí, Salvador (1931), ‘The Persistence of Memory’. Oil on canvas, 9 1/2 x 13",
[Online] http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=79018, accessed: 2nd March 2001
Meret Oppenheim, Table with Bird's Legs, 1939Figure 2
Breton, Andre (1924), ‘Manifestos of surrealism’. Examples of Automatic writing by Surrealist’s. P39
Figure 3
Magritte, Rene (1959) ‘Le Château des Pyrénées’ (The Castle of the Pyrenees), Oil on canvas, 200 x 145 cm. [Online] http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/htmls/popup.aspx?c0=13316&bsp=13269, accessed: 8th March 2011
Figure 4
Oppenheim, Meret (1936) ‘Object’. Fur-covered cup, saucer, and spoon, cup 4 3/8" in diameter; saucer 9 3/8" (23.7 cm) in diameter; spoon 8" long, overall height 2 7/8". [Online] http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=80997, accessed: 5th March 2011
Figure 5
Breton, Andre (1924), ‘Manifestos of surrealism’. Examples of Automatic writing by Andre Breton et al. P38
Figure 6
Masson, André (1924) ‘Automatic Drawing’. Ink on paper, 9 1/4 x 8 1/8", [Online] http://www.moma.org/collection/theme.php?theme_id=10947, accessed: 1st March 2011
Figure 7
Dalí, Salvador (1944) Study for the dream sequence in ‘Spellbound’. Oil on panel. 58.7 x 84 cm, [Online] http://arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibitions/ig/dali_painting_and_film/dali_moma_0708_16.htm, accessed: 1st March 2011
Figure 8
Dali, Salvador (1936) ‘Lobster Telephone’. [Online] http://www.tate.org.uk/shop/do/Greetings-Cards/Dali-Lobster-Telephone-Greetings Card/product/46985;jsessionid=1358D5750FF25416FD91BF5752D87143.A, accessed: 4th March 2011
Figure 9
Shaywitz, S (2003) ‘Overcoming Dyslexia’. Image showing the difference between a normal brain and a dyslexic brain. P11
Figure 10
Shaywitz, S (2003) ‘Overcoming Dyslexia’ Image showing the difference between the two hemispheres of a normal brain and a dyslexic brain. P12
Figure 11
Edwards, B. (1979) ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’. Student examples of her technique applied. P11
INTRODUCTION
Surrealism is a movement that has always been of interest and an inspiration, believed to be a revolutionary movement. It is Surrealist automatism that makes this true. This was a technique used to draw on the subconscious for inspiration without intentional self-censorship. The aim being to expose the unconscious and make it a part of rational life, believing our true desires were locked within.
Surrealism grew out of Paris. Its influence spread to other countries by journals and international exhibitions in 1936, the most significant examples being: ‘The International Surrealist Exhibition’ at the New Burlington galleries in London and ‘The Fantastic art Dada, Surrealism’ at the museum of Modern Art in New York. It retains a strong influence still evident in aspects of abstract expressionism and various other artistic expressions of the 20th century. For this reason and its own achievements, it is considered one of the most important movements of the 20th century.
It grew partially in the 1920s and 1930s and “provided a radical alternative to the rational and formal qualities of Cubism. Unlike Dada, from which in many ways it sprang, it emphasized the positive rather that the nihilistic. Surrealism sought access to the subconscious and to translate this flow of
