The Intersection of Surrealism and Psychoanalysis: A Journey Through the Unconscious

Over a century ago, French poet André Breton visited Sigmund Freud’s apartment in Vienna, seeking the endorsement of the renowned “father of psychoanalysis” for surrealist art. Despite a reserved reception from Freud, Breton and his peers went on to demonstrate the profound influence of psychoanalysis on their art. The psychoanalytic and surrealist movements were both rooted in the societal upheaval and progressive ideas of the time, in opposition to dogmatism, inequality, fascism, and National Socialism. From the early 1920s, surrealism championed freedom, love, and poetry, and played a significant role in shaping the intellectual climate and reception of Freud’s ideas in France. By the 1930s, surrealist groups had emerged in other European cities, and until the onset of World War II, which forced many members into exile, surrealism was considered a global art movement.

In surrealism, the depiction of alternate realities seamlessly blends internal and external experiences to create a new, absolute reality known as “surreality”. This newfound reality in art and life gives rise to utopian visions that are brought to life.

Exploring the Surreal Mind: The Paranoiac-Critical Method of Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí is widely recognized as a prominent figure in the surrealist movement. His signature design technique, known as the paranoiac-critical method, is influenced by Sigmund Freud’s theories and explores the realm of…