The Surrealism art movement was a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its exploration of the irrational and unconscious mind. Surrealist artists sought to express the inner workings of the human psyche through dreamlike and fantastical imagery. The movement’s aspiration towards the liberation of the mind as well as the liberation of artistic expressions has also meant seeking political freedom. In many instances, these artists have turned to political activism.
Surrealist artists employed fantasy, myth, and dream imagery to create work; they experimented with an array of media and innovative processes in unconventional and symbolic ways in order to explore the inner workings of their minds. The Surrealist contributions played a significant role in art history by influencing numerous subsequent art movements, and their work is still relevant today.
They employed and invented a variety of techniques and games, including: Automatism, Collage, doodling, frottage, decalcomania, and grattage. The purposes of these techniques was to explore a free-flowing creative process absent from conscious decision-making and the rational mind. They have produced an array of work and explored various methods and mediums.
Some notable Surrealist artists include Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Max Ernst, and André Breton, who wrote the Surrealist Manifesto in 1924, outlining the movement's principles and goals.
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