Surrealism Flashcards
What are the characteristics of Surrealism?
- illogical
- exploration of the subconscious
- importance of the dream world
- most common themes are those which are suppressed in the conscious mind such as sexuality, violence and death.
- symbols with sexual connotations
- the want to escape and conquer the chaos of the time by using a power higher than reality - the surreality
Provide a definition of Automitism
To draw or paint without any preconceived ideas - like doodles - to create chance effects.
What is Frottage?
Placing a piece of paper on a textured surface and working over it with a pencil and then using it to inspire an artwork.
What is Decalcomania?
Where black paint is spread on a sheet of paper, and another sheet is pressed down lightly on top, and then carefully lifted off just before the paint dries, and the resultant effects used to develop an artwork.
Automatic handwriting
Where you start to draw without a preconceived idea and then identify symbols and figures in the drawing.
Mixtures of oil, water and paint
Resulted in spontaneous effects.
What is the dream world?
In this tendency figurative and illusionistic paintings convince the viewer of the reality of the dream and the subconscious mind.
How were dream images made?
By painting recognisable scenes in a detailed realistic way and then placing them in completely illogical situations.
How were images painted?
In an extraordinarily detailed realist technique.
How are the brushstrokes?
Fine and detailed.
How is the picture surface?
Smooth rather than tactile.
How are the illusions of space and depth portrayed?
Realistically.
How is colour?
Super-real: it is luminous and dreamlike.
