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Katerina Husar Lazarova

CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

Celebrating a Century of Surrealism: A Journey into the Dreamlike Realm

One hundred years ago, in 1924, a revolutionary art movement emerged that would challenge the boundaries of reality and imagination – Surrealism. Led by the visionary André Breton, Surrealism aims to transcend the constraints of the conscious mind and venture into the enigmatic landscapes of the subconscious. As we commemorate the centenary of this groundbreaking movement, let us delve into the realm of the surreal, examining its principles, the automatic process, and the remarkable artists who have left an indelible mark on the art world.


"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." André Breton


Breton, the architect of Surrealism, passionately called artists to liberate their minds from the shackles of reason in the movement's manifesto. His words, "We are still living under the reign of logic," set the stage for a radical departure from conventional norms. He envisioned Surrealism as a gateway to the "superior reality of certain forms of previously neglected associations, in the omnipotence of dream, in the disinterested play of thought."

These radical ideas resonated deeply, guiding artists like André Masson, a virtuoso of spontaneous creation. Inspired by the ethos of "pure psychic automatism," Masson let his mind guide the brush, resulting in canvases bursting with color and unveiling the wonders of the subconscious.



Then there's Salvador Dalí, the eccentric genius who contributed iconic pieces like "The Persistence of Memory." His words, "Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision," encapsulated the essence of Surrealism. His art has always held a special place in my heart.



Venturing further into this dreamy landscape, we encounter Toyen, a member of a Czech surrealist group. She was born as Marie Čermínová in Prague. While living in Paris, she became friends with Dalí, Ernst, and other French surrealists. In her works, like "Poselstvi Lesa [The Message of the Forest]," The power of nature over the human world features lone girls, fragmentary female figures, and birds. Toyen's art, often overshadowed by more renowned figures, stands out as my personal favorite.



Leonor Fini, a trailblazer from Buenos Aires, challenged societal norms through paintings like "La leçon de Botanique," sparking curiosity and rebellion. While she might not be the most celebrated artist in Surrealism, her art resonates with me on a personal level.

In my exploration of the world of art, where original colorful canvases come to life, the spirit of Surrealism intertwines with my creative journey. Within contemporary Surrealism and unconventional art forms, I find inspiration in the boundless possibilities that arise when imagination takes center stage.



André Masson, a virtuoso of the Surrealist movement, skillfully blended spontaneity with symbolism in his art. Born in 1896, his journey through World War I deeply influenced his perspective, leading him to embrace the Surrealist approach of "pure psychic automatism." In works like "Automatic Drawing," Masson allowed his subconscious to guide the movements of his pen, creating intricate patterns that revealed the unseen depths of his mind. Masson's artistic legacy lies not only in his technique but in his ability to channel the chaos of the subconscious into captivating visual narratives, making a lasting impact on the world of art.


"Thought expressed in the absence of any control exercised by reason, and outside all moral and aesthetic concerns, is inconceivable to us." André Breton


Celebrating a century of Surrealism, my admiration persists for the dreamlike visions of Dalí, Masson, Toyen, and Fini—artists who have left an indelible mark on my artistic sensibilities. Their artworks whisper the secrets of the subconscious, urging us on our own surreal journey, where reality mingles with dreams. The surrealists cherished, in my eyes, have paved the way for us to explore uncharted territories of our minds through unconventional forms, dreamlike landscapes, and organic shapes. This journey, like a vivid and colorful story, unfolds with every stroke of the brush and each imaginative creation, inviting us to discover the limitless possibilities within the world of hidden layers in our minds.

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