The word 'surrealist' refers to the artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century. It is spelled /səˈriːəlɪst/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable 'sə' is pronounced with a neutral vowel sound like 'uh'. 'riː' is pronounced as 'ree', and 'əlɪst' sounds like 'uh-list'. The word's origin is from French 'sur- (over, above)' + 'réaliste (realist)', which means 'beyond realism'. A surrealist artwork presents objects and ideas in a dreamlike, illogical, and bizarre way, often exploring the subconscious mind.
The term "surrealist" refers to a person, artist, or practitioner who is associated with the artistic movement known as surrealism. Surrealism emerged in the early 20th century as a revolutionary and influential artistic and literary movement that sought to express the workings of the unconscious mind, liberate imagination, and challenge rationality and societal norms.
A surrealist is characterized by their adherence, involvement, or contribution to surrealism's principles and techniques. They explore the realm of the subconscious and incorporate dream-like, irrational, and unexpected elements into their artistic creations. Surrealists aim to transcend the limitations of reason and conventional thought, tapping into the depths of the imagination to reveal hidden truths and explore the boundaries of reality.
Surrealists adopt various mediums like painting, sculpture, photography, literature, film, and performance art to manifest their ideas. They often employ techniques such as automatism, frottage, decalcomania, and collage to establish a direct channel between the unconscious and the artwork's creation process. Surrealist works are marked by their juxtaposition of unrelated and often bizarre or fantastical elements, challenging viewers to interpret and engage with the inexplicable and surreal compositions.
The term "surrealist" also encompasses individuals who adhere to the broader philosophy of surrealism, which extends beyond art. Surrealists maintain a critical stance towards societal conventions and norms, advocating for a greater emancipation of the mind and creativity in all aspects of life. By embracing the unexpected and the irrational, surrealist individuals strive to challenge and subvert established systems while providing unique and thought-provoking perspectives.
The word "surrealist" derives from the adjective "surreal", which was coined by French poet Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917. However, it was André Breton, a French writer and poet, who popularized the term through his manifesto, "Manifeste du surréalisme", published in 1924. The term combines the French prefix "sur-" meaning "beyond" or "above" with "realism", indicating a movement that aimed to go beyond traditional constraints of reality and explore the subconscious and dreamlike aspects of art and literature.