Surrealism

Question 1

Answer 1

Salvador Dali, Birth of Liquid Desires, 1931-1932

Surrealism replaces Dada as “psychic automatism”- inspired by Freud/Jung- reveal psyche without control of consciousness- salvation in surreality vs. rationality that caused WWI

Naturalist Surrealism- incorporates Renaissance perspective techniques, yet themes of sexuality, violence, putrefaction

water pours into black slate to hermaphrodite’s head, artist’s palette/woman’s body/orifices/sex/bride embraces hermaphrodite- defies rational interpretation, triggers primordial anxiety, fear, regression

Question 2

Answer 2

Meret Oppenheim, Object (Luncheon in Fur), 1936

visitors selected work as quintessential Surrealisht symbol in Surrealist exhibition in 1937

object stripped of original function- teacup covered in deer pelt-co-opted for new purpose; Dada sensibility- also references Manet (le Dejeuner sur l’herbe- Le Dejeuner en fourrure)

Oppenheim is gay- cunnilingus reference to “a little more fur”-cold tea with Picasso

disquieting juxtapositions- force consideration of subconscious desires a la Freud- playful and menacing- death instict and sexual instinct