Surrealism is the direction of bourgeois contemporary art, which originated in the early 20s of the last century in France. Style personifies the crisis of capitalist society and finds the foundations in Sigmund Freud's contradictory idealistic philosophical theory. The horror of the real world is embodied in the works of artists and writers of surrealism.
Surrealism in literature and painting had the goal of knowing the human subconscious, joining the supernatural, creating another reality. The founder and ideologist of the trend is Andre Breton, who believed that surrealism is a psychic automatism, and thought is not dictated by reason and moral considerations in it. As its founder, Breton wanted to unite all the surrealists, but their endless debates among themselves and the accusations caused by differences in views could not end peacefully. Nevertheless, the creators had a single message: they wanted not only to create a new style, they wanted to change modern life. According to the surrealists, the unconscious principle is the highest truth on earth.
Surrealism in literature and art became especially popular during the time of world wars. Continuators of the controversial trend appeared in Europe and America. At that time, the masses were introduced to this style by artists and writers who emigrated from France to other countries.
The most famous surrealist painters of the 20th century are Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Juan Miró. In the movie, we know the names of Luis Bunuel, as well as Georges Sadul. Surrealism in literature has gained popularity thanks to André Breton, Louis Aragon, Rene Chard, Henri Michaud, Robert Desnos, Paul Eluard.
It is practically impossible to analyze the work of the creators of this style, but if we consider, say, the painting of Salvador Dali, where everything is carefully designed and each of the elements has its own meaning, you can know for yourself some essence of his thoughts. The works of surrealism are focused on the idea and image, and not on the subject itself. An untrained reader or viewer will not be able to properly perceive the design of surrealistic texts and paintings. Only a person with good imagination, extraordinary thoughts and associations can fully immerse himself in the world of surrealists of that time and learn something new for himself.
According to some sources, surrealism in literature first came to the masses in 1918, when the book “Magnetic Fields” by Andre Breton and Philip Supo was published. This style originates not in separate texts, but in a book, which includes works of various genres.
Sleep was one of the sources of inspiration and knowledge for the surrealists. At that time, a series of sleep sessions conducted by poets were popular. On them, Robert Desnos - a famous poet - dictated to the public what he saw in a dream.
The year 1924 was an important date for the creators. This year, the "Manifesto of Surrealism" was published, which listed the names of the predecessors of the direction, its general provisions, etc. At the same time, magazines dedicated to this style began to appear. In conclusion, a genre such as "black humor" was born.
Surrealism in literature is most manifested in poetry, as well as in small prose and dramaturgy. The first surreal drama of Roger Vitrack's “Secrets of Love” was staged in 1927.
Surrealist artists in their style were distinguished by a wealth of forms and approaches. Thanks to their work, the perception of the art of abstractionism, cubism was simplified. The influence on the further creativity of many artists was surrealism. Artists and writers found new techniques and methods, changed their perception, began to search for other forms of creative expression. Even in Russia of the 70-90s, for example, one could meet poets and writers who do not deviate from surrealistic ideas.