This document provides information about Surrealist photography. It discusses key dates, artists, and characteristics of Surrealism. Notable artists mentioned include Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, and Rene Magritte. Surrealist photos aimed to depict unexpected juxtapositions and psychological truths through dream-like and abstract images. Students are assigned to research Surrealism, brainstorm photo ideas, shoot new images, and create a final Surrealist composite photo using Photoshop. Sketchbooks and photos are due for review followed by the final Surrealist piece.

1. Surrealist Photography

2. “The Persistence of Memory”, Salvador Dali, 1931

3. Dates: 1924 - 1966
Notable Artists: Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Rene
Magritte
Characteristics:
● element of surprise and unexpected
juxtapositions
● expose psychological truth by stripping ordinary
objects of their normal significance

4. created compelling
images that were
beyond ordinary
formal organization
“The Elephant Celebes”, Max Ernst, 1921

5. “Indefinite Divisibility”, Yves Tanguy, 1942
a combination of the
depictive, the abstract,
and the psychological

6. images were dream-like
and unexpected
“Edward James”, Rene Magritte, 1937

7. “Swans Reflecting Elephants”, Salvador Dali, 1937

8. Surrealist Photography

23. Student Exemplars

40. Objective:
• to study art history, take influence from it &
show that influence in your work
• study and analyze Surrealism paying attention
to style, themes, subject matter, concepts, etc.
• take your simple photographs to a new and
exciting level

41. Sketchbook – Part 1:
Research Surrealism and complete the following:
✓Dates Surrealism began/was predominant and ended.
✓Area of the world Surrealism took place and was founded.
✓What was happening in history that influenced Surrealism?
✓What was the philosophy of the artists? Why did they make art
in this style?
✓List 3 FAMOUS artists from this art movement.
✓What materials and mediums were used?
✓What about Surrealism do you find appealing? What do you
dislike?
✓4-6 images of work, from the artists listed above, that you like
and could influence your own work. Find images on the Internet,
print them and put them in sketchbook. Each image should
include: the title, the artist’s name, and the year it was created.

42. Sketchbook – Part 2:
Brainstorm ideas and direction for your photo piece in
your sketchbook. Consider subject matter, concepts,
style, composition, and themes.
✓ Generate a list of ideas and photos you could
take to meet this assignment criteria.
✓ You should have at least 3 ideas in your
sketchbook. These should be specific &
detailed.
✓ Half of your sketchbook grade is your planning
and brainstorming to develop your idea.

43. What You’ll Do:
Shoot new pictures, a minimum of 40, specifically for
this assignment.
You may use images from previous assignments, but
you should still shoot and use new images.
Create your own final Surrealist piece using your
photos and Photoshop.

44. Due Dates:
Sketchbooks: 50 points
* See sketchbook pages for details & requirements
Tuesday, March 14th
Images: 80 points
Tuesday, March 21st
Final Surrealism Photo: 100 points
Friday, March 24th