The Enduring Influence of Surrealism

It was 100 years ago this year that the first manifesto of the Surrealist Movement was published. The creator of this new school of thought was French writer and poet, André Breton, who defined surrealism as, ‘pure psychic automatism.’

Unlike its precursor, Dadaism, which embraced nonsense, surrealism was defined as, ‘having an interest in psychology, dreams, the subconscious and the unconscious.’ At a time when the world was still reeling from the devastation of World War I, the movement reconnected people to their thoughts and deepest desires, and brought us some of the most significant artists in history, including René Magritte, Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dali.

Since its heyday, the influence of surrealism has endured, with its impact and inspiration felt across all spheres of life, from literature and philosophy to politics and social theory. Given its impact, it’s no surprise that the movement continues to have a huge influence on the contemporary artists of today.

In the week we launch the psychedelic work of Argentinian artist, Mariano Peccinetti, we’re diving into the weird and wonderful world of surrealism to understand its philosophies and how it continues to influence the world of contemporary art.

Click here to read the full article on EnterGallery.com

Image: André Breton in 1924