International Surrealisms

Catalog description

The surrealist movement began in early-twentieth century France as a revolutionary proposal to discard the rational foundations of Western knowledge and unleash humanity's fullest capabilities through the unconscious and dreams. In dynamic networks, surrealism expanded beyond Western Europe to other regions including Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Around the world, it was viewed as an aesthetic and political tool to combat colonialism and position indigenous forms of knowledge as counterpoints to Eurocentric ways of thinking. This course will examine these cultural intersections and creative crosscurrents in visual art, writing, and film from the 1920s-present. It will place special emphasis on surrealism's experimental practices - ludic activities often meant to encourage collaboration - and its innovative exhibition strategies. Students will explore the history of the movement and also practice its art techniques through hands-on workshops. Artists, writers, and filmmakers that will be considered include André Breton, Leonora Carrington, Aimé and Suzanne Césaire, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Harue Koga, Ted Joans, Maria Martins, Jan Švankmajer, and Ramsès Younan.