Surrealism explained -or- “It needed one more thing, so I stuck a giraffe in it.” By Craig Blair

1. 

   AdamLore

   December 31, 2009 at 11:39 pm

   Cool paintings.

   Sounds like pseudo-surrealism to me, though.
2. 

   theboombody

   December 31, 2009 at 11:57 pm

   From a translation of Breton’s surrealist manifesto – “I believe in the future resolution of these two states, dream and reality, which are seemingly so contradictory, into a kind of absolute reality, a surreality, if one may so speak.”

   So I guess Surrealism is a kind of utopia where the dreams of sleep are actually combined with reality to make what he calls an absolute reality.
3. 

   theboombody

   January 1, 2010 at 12:05 am

   Sticking stuff in random places is an accurate explanation too, but I like #3 myself because it sounds both insidious and stupid at the same time.
4. 

   abcblair

   January 1, 2010 at 12:14 am

   I like your explanation better – especially #3.
5. 

   theboombody

   January 1, 2010 at 1:13 am

   I’ve defined surrealism in a few ways:
   1. G-rated shock value
   2. LSD’s challenger
   3. Brainwashing a viewer into something, but being unsure of what you’re trying to brainwash the viewer into.

   I’ve made a video that’s kinda surrealistic that features these definintions.
6. 

   Nodrico

   January 1, 2010 at 1:25 am

   The Overall point of Surrealism, is Freedom, Free to draw/do/write/video whatever your minds eye creates. So, Therefore, the freedom is, that the art of surrealism, can contain Anything, this Includes messages, maybe points peple want to get across via surrealism, or maybe no message, but a peice of art that means soemthign or even nothing to the artist him/her self. or a peice of art designed to be looked at in many different ways or veiws. It Shows the freedom of the Mind. – Surrealism.
7. 

   laoninja123

   January 1, 2010 at 2:24 am

   The Mighty Boosh !!!!!
8. 

   1234sss

   January 1, 2010 at 3:15 am

   it all depends on the situation and the creative process you partake in to create a piece. if you feel you need an image in a surrealist art piece simple because you feel you needed something else in it, then i think that’s perfectly acceptable and still qualifies as surrealism.
9. 

   earthpizza

   January 1, 2010 at 4:07 am

   bunch a posers
10. 

    GeneveSurLaNeige

    January 1, 2010 at 5:01 am

    I like surrealism so much exactly for the freedom. I don’t see any reason why there should be a hidden message and meaning for every single thing in the picture, painting, movie or writing.
11. 

    TarantinoQ82

    January 1, 2010 at 5:17 am

    i write, paint, make music and films. i often made the experience that i was surprised myself about the result of my work. i think its a subconscious process. when you are famous some rich people talk about your work and say: oh the banana symbolizes a penis or anything like that
12. 

    SMEELGREEL

    January 1, 2010 at 5:21 am

    There are surrealists who choose to give meaning and symbolism to their work, and those who do not. There are all kinds. Personally I don’t give meaning to any of my work since I find it destroys the freedom of it. I just set the heart and mind free. Applying convention to surrealism is paradoxical. Make of an artist’s work what you will. Expression does not have to have a purpose.
13. 

    jakeupstudios

    January 1, 2010 at 5:22 am

    i think its pretty accurate actually lol
14. 

    kurisensei

    January 1, 2010 at 6:12 am

    oh lordy aren’t there any decent documentaries on surrealism on youtube?
15. 

    greengiraffee

    January 1, 2010 at 6:57 am

    that explanation isn’t very accurate, because SOME surrealism paintings DO have symbolism. I was a bit offended when you said that.

    Adding a random something does not equal surrealism.

    As an art student, I am shocked. I came to this video hoping to find an intelligent and humorous explanation that shows knowledge. This is the very opposite.
16. 

    Caucy

    January 1, 2010 at 7:14 am

    I agree, Surrealism is not adding an image because you need something else. That’s the worst imitation you could possibly attempt.
17. 

    KeithWigdor

    January 1, 2010 at 7:23 am

    Please pull this offline! This is not surrealism.
18. 

    surwdb

    January 1, 2010 at 7:49 am

    Okay Graig! a good explanation, that’s what give, a surrealistic painting made whit out a plan and stuck the giraffe in it whit no meaning at all. A better explanation is to give no explanation. (But people keep on asking)

    Willem
19. 

    Gadzooxtian

    January 1, 2010 at 8:21 am

    Of course it needed a giraffe! The best thing to need! Good words Craig! (And Andrew, the Trotsky look is soooo 1993 grunge, hahahaha!) Woulda been nice to be thurr…
20. 

    dscefonas

    January 1, 2010 at 8:53 am

    I really like your explanation.