Art has always been an expressive medium for artists to portray ideas and emotions. One unique branch of art is Surrealism, which uses the subconscious mind to explore the world of imagination and beauty.
Surrealism has an undeniable influence on contemporary art and culture. Its influence has led to the emergence of a new genre of art known as dystopian surrealism.
This article will provide an introduction to surrealism and dystopian surrealism, exploring their origins, characteristics, and key themes.
Definition and origin of Surrealism
Surrealism is an artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century. The term ‘surreal’ means ‘beyond reality’ or ‘super-real.’ It emerged as a response to the world wars and the anxiety that came with them.
Surrealism explored the subconscious mind, dreams, and the world of imagination, effectively creating an alternate reality in its art. One of the leading figures in the Surrealist movement was Andr Breton, who defined Surrealism as “Pure psychic automatism, the expression of the real functioning of the mind, in the absence of any control exercised by reason, exempt from any aesthetic or moral concern.”
Surrealism found its way into painting, literature, and cinema, making it a multidisciplinary art form.
Surrealist art was characterized by the use of distorted shapes, bizarre juxtapositions, and an emphasis on free association. Surrealism’s goal was to free people from the constraints of reality and to explore their inner worlds.
to Dystopian Surrealism and its connection to Surrealism
Dystopian surrealism is a relatively new genre of art that combines surrealism with apocalyptic and dystopian themes. It’s also known as retro-futurism, which showcases a glimpse of the future, portraying it in an imagined world, often dark and foreboding.
Dystopian surrealism takes inspiration from the same source as surrealist art, the subconscious, but contrasts it by displaying a world imagined by the artist, which is often oppressive, totalitarian, and bleak. The genres both use visual expression, but while Surrealism explores beauty and free association, dystopian surrealism often presents the dark side of the human psyche.
Artists such as Zdzisaw Beksiski, H.R. Giger, and Wayne Barlowe have created dystopian surrealism art, portraying a world that is at odds with reality, yet feels all too familiar. They combine the imaginary with the real world, presenting it in a new and alternative light.
Influence of psychoanalysis and science on Surrealism
Surrealism as a movement found inspiration in several disciplines and fields. Psychoanalysis was one such influence.
Sigmund Freud’s theory of the subconscious and Carl Jung’s archetypes significantly influenced Surrealism. Freud’s theories of dream interpretation and free association had a profound impact on Surrealism as well.
Surrealism also drew inspiration from science and new discoveries. Quantum mechanics, relativity, and subatomic particles all inspired surrealists to explore the outer limits of art.
Salvador Dali’s melting clocks are an example of a surrealist painting inspired by science. They represent the fluidity of time and the effect of gravity on the world around us.
The painting is not a precise representation of a real-world object but rather a distorted and bizarre representation of it.
Key themes in Dystopian Surrealism
Dystopian surrealism has several recurring themes. One such theme is censorship.
In dystopian surrealism, information is often controlled, and dissenting opinions are silenced. Dystopian surrealism artists show us a world where the free flow of information is often restricted, and society is subject to a higher authority.
Another recurring theme in dystopian surrealism is loss of identity. The characters in these paintings are often faceless and anonymous, deprived of their individuality.
Dystopian surrealism portrays a world where identity is often subsumed by the collective. Control is another critical theme in dystopian surrealism.
The world of art is often depicted as being under the control of a select few, who dictate what we get to see, read, and experience. In dystopian surrealism, the characters are often powerless and at the mercy of these institutions.
Lastly, dystopian surrealism presents an apocalyptic atmosphere, giving us glimpses of the world’s future. It’s a world where our collective fears, anxieties, and nightmares converge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Surrealism and dystopian surrealism have no doubt revolutionized the world of art. Surrealism provides us the opportunity to explore our inner worlds, utilise our imagination and escape our reality, while dystopian surrealism portrays a world full of fears, anxieties, and nightmares.
The world of art would not be the same without these two unique genres working in unison. Understanding their origins, characteristics, and fundamental themes helps us appreciate their importance and their ongoing influence on contemporary art.
Dystopian Surrealism in Literature
The use of dystopian surrealism in literature has become increasingly popular in modern and contemporary literature. It explores imaginative alternative worlds, often bleak and oppressive, that present a reflection of our current reality.
In this section, we will explore how dystopian surrealism appears in modern and contemporary literature and some examples of dystopian surrealism in literature.
Incorporation of Dystopian Surrealism in Modern and Contemporary literature
Dystopian surrealism has been incorporated into literary works, particularly in modern and contemporary literature. In this genre, authors employ bizarre and seemingly nonsensical elements to intensify the plot or protagonists.
Dystopian surrealism threads various literary genres and creates parallels and conjectures. The use of dystopian surrealism in literature is evident in Orwell’s 1984.
In Orwell’s dystopian world, the party controls the information, and freedom of thought becomes a crime. The novel invokes a sense of paranoia and claustrophobia in the reader’s imagination, providing an alternative and oppressive society.
Contemporary literature has seen a surge in dystopian surrealism. Authors such as Karin Tidbeck and Marge Piercy, amongst others, have further refined this genre by introducing new elements, hybridizing dystopian surrealism with new literary forms.
The genre blurs the boundaries between fantasy, science fiction, and the literary canon, creating entirely new worlds. The effect is a world that feels both familiar and strange, the mundane and the supernatural blending seamlessly.
Examples of Dystopian Surrealism in literature
Amatka, a novel by Karin Tidbeck, is an excellent example of dystopian surrealism in literature. The book presents a world that is constantly under surveillance, where all the tools and items are made of a jelly-like substance that needs to be maintained by repetitive rituals.
The story presents an eerie world where the very fabric of reality is upended. Egalia’s Daughters by Gerd Brantenberg is another example of dystopian surrealism.
The book tells of a world where there is no distinction between male and female genders, where all duties and roles are reversed. The book presents us with a radical critique of society, exploring gender roles, politics, and economics.
The Weird and the Eerie, a book by Mark Fisher, is an anthology of essays that explore eerie and paranormal aspects of everyday experience. The book examines literature, music, art and the role of the media and capitalism in shaping our view of reality.
The work is a fascinating exploration of the strange, surreal and uncanny world and our relationship to it.
Dystopian Surrealism Through the Lens of Zdzislaw Beksinski
Background and experiences of Zdzislaw Beksinski
Zdzislaw Beksinski was a Polish artist whose work has been described as dystopian surrealism. Beksinski’s work is shaped by the traumas he experienced during World War II, the German occupation of Poland, and the subsequent Communist persecution of artists that he witnessed.
His work is a reflection of his worldview, one shaped by violence, fear, and loss. As a teenager, Beksinski was hypnotised by his father to help combat his depression and anxiety.
This may have contributed to his interest in the subconscious and the surreal. Beksinski described his work as “baroque,” a term that describes how he combined elements of horror, surrealism, and the sublime to create a new aesthetic.
Famous artworks by Zdzislaw Beksinski
One of Beksinski’s most famous works is the Untitled (1978). The painting shows a hazy background that is punctuated by shadowy figures.
In the foreground, there is a writhing mass of bodies, which gives the impression of a struggle or fight. The piece invokes a sense of horror, claustrophobia and the feeling that something ominous is lurking just out of sight.
Another famous work of Beksinski is Czerwony Ksiezyc, which translates to “Red Moon.” The painting shows a desolate landscape, a red moon dominating the sky, and an imposing, dark, monolithic structure that looms menacingly over the landscape. The painting invokes a feeling of despair, loneliness, and a sense of foreboding.
RA and Y are two other pieces by Beksinski that depict surreal, dystopian settings. RA shows a long, dark, and foreboding stairway that leads to an ominous portal or doorway.
Y, on the other hand, is a portrait of a skeletal figure wearing military garb, holding a sword and standing on a pile of skulls. Both pieces are characteristically Beksinski, invoking feelings of dread, doom, and decay.
In conclusion, dystopian surrealism continues to flourish in literature, entering the imagination through an alternative and thought-provoking world. The works of Zdzislaw Beinskisnki are the embodiment of dystopian surrealism, influenced by his real-life experiences and his interest in surrealism and the subconscious mind.
His works continue to inspire and influence artists today, and through his paintings, he presented an alternative perspective on reality, one that is eerie, foreboding, and entirely his own. In conclusion, dystopian surrealism is an intriguing art form that pushes the boundaries of imagination and creativity.
This article explored the origins, characteristics, and themes of dystopian surrealism in various art forms, including literature and the works of Zdzislaw Beksinski. From the use of the subconscious mind to explore imaginative worlds to presenting an eerie and foreboding perspective of our current reality, dystopian surrealism forces us to think beyond our conventional understanding of art.
The works of past and contemporary artists continue to inspire and influence art and culture today, and it is essential to appreciate its significance. Dystopian surrealism embodies the freedom of expression on one hand and the agency of powerful emotions and moods on the other.
It is a reflection of our world and our society.