surrealism - Philosophy Of Photography Forum

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Q. surrealism

Asked by kirk kennelly (K=45) on 2/3/1999

Wondering about the best way to understand just what is surrealism? Henri Cartier-Bresson employed it in his philosophy of photography...Josef Sudek too I think with his glass eye images, others with dolls...I have read much on the subject but seem to come up short each time, i.e. the definition seems elusive.

Jeff Spirer (K=2523) - Comment Date 2/3/1999

The best way to understand surrealism is to start with Andre Breton's Surrealist Manifesto which was the beginning of surrealism. It started out as a literary movement and migrated to the art world. It has more to do with the approach towards creating than any specific subjects.

Donald Lush (K=98) - Comment Date 2/4/1999

I would also highly recommend "Nadja" by Andre Breton (especially for the use of photographs), "This is not a pipe" by Michel Foucault (about Rene Magritte)and the photographs of Duane Michals (Is Michals a surrealist?)

There are also lots of good general histories of the movement to be found in the art section of libraries. If you can get it (out of print at the moment) the one by Maurice Nadeau is easily the best.

Surrealists valued photography highly and were in turn very influential. Check (amongst many others) Cecil Beaton, Man Ray, Eugene Atget, Lee Miller, ...

My personal favourite surrealist photographic book is "The Road Less Travelled" by Roland Penrose (pictures by Lee Miller).

At the risk of drifting off the point, Sigmund Freud's "Interpretation of Dreams" is a key text for understanding surrealism.

Incidentally - don't be tempted to confuse the merely whacky with the actually surreal.

Have fun - surrealism is fertile ground for photographic inspiration.

Donald Lush (K=98) - Comment Date 2/5/1999

Sorry to go on about this - one more essential book: Paris Peasant by Louis Aragon. This is partcularly good if read with a viewing of Eugene Atgets pictures of Paris.

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