Surrealism Explained! -or- "So I Stuck a Giraffe in it".

[AdamLore]

Cool paintings.

Sounds like pseudo-surrealism to me, though.

[theboombody]

From a translation of Breton's surrealist manifesto - "I believe in the future resolution of these two states, dream and reality, which are seemingly so contradictory, into a kind of absolute reality, a surreality, if one may so speak."

So I guess Surrealism is a kind of utopia where the dreams of sleep are actually combined with reality to make what he calls an absolute reality.

[theboombody]

Sticking stuff in random places is an accurate explanation too, but I like #3 myself because it sounds both insidious and stupid at the same time.

[theboombody]

I've defined surrealism in a few ways:

1. G-rated shock value

2. LSD's challenger

3. Brainwashing a viewer into something, but being unsure of what you're trying to brainwash the viewer into.

I've made a video that's kinda surrealistic that features these definintions.

[abcblair]

I like your explanation better - especially #3.

[laoninja123]

The Mighty Boosh !!!!!

[earthpizza]

bunch a posers

[GeneveSurLaNeige]

I like surrealism so much exactly for the freedom. I don't see any reason why there should be a hidden message and meaning for every single thing in the picture, painting, movie or writing.

[SMEELGREEL]

There are surrealists who choose to give meaning and symbolism to their work, and those who do not. There are all kinds. Personally I don't give meaning to any of my work since I find it destroys the freedom of it. I just set the heart and mind free. Applying convention to surrealism is paradoxical. Make of an artist's work what you will. Expression does not have to have a purpose.

[TarantinoQ82]

i write, paint, make music and films. i often made the experience that i was surprised myself about the result of my work. i think its a subconscious process. when you are famous some rich people talk about your work and say: oh the banana symbolizes a penis or anything like that

[Nodrico]

The Overall point of Surrealism, is Freedom, Free to draw/do/write/video whatever your minds eye creates. So, Therefore, the freedom is, that the art of surrealism, can contain Anything, this Includes messages, maybe points peple want to get across via surrealism, or maybe no message, but a peice of art that means soemthign or even nothing to the artist him/her self. or a peice of art designed to be looked at in many different ways or veiws. It Shows the freedom of the Mind. - Surrealism.

[kurisensei]

oh lordy aren't there any decent documentaries on surrealism on youtube?

[greengiraffee]

that explanation isn't very accurate, because SOME surrealism paintings DO have symbolism. I was a bit offended when you said that.

Adding a random something does not equal surrealism.

As an art student, I am shocked. I came to this video hoping to find an intelligent and humorous explanation that shows knowledge. This is the very opposite.

[jakeupstudios]

i think its pretty accurate actually lol

[KeithWigdor]

Please pull this offline! This is not surrealism.

[Caucy]

I agree, Surrealism is not adding an image because you need something else. That's the worst imitation you could possibly attempt.

[1234sss]

it all depends on the situation and the creative process you partake in to create a piece. if you feel you need an image in a surrealist art piece simple because you feel you needed something else in it, then i think that's perfectly acceptable and still qualifies as surrealism.

[surwdb]

Okay Graig! a good explanation, that's what give, a surrealistic painting made whit out a plan and stuck the giraffe in it whit no meaning at all. A better explanation is to give no explanation. (But people keep on asking)

Willem

[Gadzooxtian]

Of course it needed a giraffe! The best thing to need! Good words Craig! (And Andrew, the Trotsky look is soooo 1993 grunge, hahahaha!) Woulda been nice to be thurr...

[dscefonas]

I really like your explanation.