What makes something surreal?

 

What makes something surreal?

 It’s a question that both defies and invites definition, rooted in our collective fascination with the strange, the uncanny, and the extraordinary. Surrealism, as an artistic and philosophical movement, emerged in the early 20th century, spearheaded by visionaries like André Breton, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte. But its essence goes beyond art galleries or poetic manifestos; surrealism captures the interplay between reality and dreams, the tangible and the imaginary, the ordinary and the extraordinary. To truly understand what makes something surreal, we must explore its components, its cultural resonance, and its capacity to transform perception.

The Origins of the Surreal

The term “surreal” derives from the French word "surréalisme," meaning "beyond reality." In the aftermath of World War I, artists and intellectuals sought to break free from the conventions that they believed had contributed to the chaos of the modern world. Surrealism became a rebellion against the constraints of rationality, embracing the subconscious and the illogical as pathways to deeper truths.

Surrealist works often feature dreamlike scenarios, unexpected juxtapositions, and elements that challenge conventional logic. Dalí’s melting clocks in The Persistence of Memory evoke a world where time itself becomes fluid and subjective. Magritte’s The Treachery of Images (“This is not a pipe”) questions the relationship between language, representation, and reality. These pieces are surreal because they defy expectations, forcing us to reconsider what we accept as “normal.”

The Emotional Core of Surrealism

Surrealism is not merely about shock value or strangeness; it’s about evoking a sense of wonder, discomfort, or revelation. A surreal experience often triggers a double take, a moment when the mind struggles to reconcile what it perceives with what it knows. This emotional resonance is key to understanding the surreal.

Imagine walking into a forest where the trees hum with melodies, their leaves whispering secrets in languages you don’t understand. The scene is not just odd; it’s transformative. It invites you to suspend disbelief, to step into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. The surreal touches us on a primal level, tapping into our dreams, fears, and desires.

Elements That Create the Surreal

1. Juxtaposition: The placement of unrelated or opposing elements side by side creates a sense of dissonance. For instance, a painting of a fish swimming in the sky challenges our understanding of natural laws.

2. Transformation: Objects or beings morphing into something entirely different, a chair turning into a tree, or a person’s face becoming a landscape, suggests the fluidity of reality.

3. Hyperreality: Surreal works often exaggerate details, making them hyper real to the point of absurdity. A single teardrop may become an ocean, a fleeting moment stretched into eternity.

4. Dream Logic: The surreal borrows heavily from the logic of dreams, where events unfold without clear cause or consequence. This non-linear narrative can feel unsettling but also freeing.

5. Uncanny Familiarity: The surreal often inhabits the border between the familiar and the strange. A dollhouse resembling your childhood home but filled with unblinking mannequins is surreal because it feels both recognizable and alien.

Everyday Surrealism

While surrealism is often associated with art, literature, and film, it’s not confined to these domains. Life itself can be surreal. Picture a bustling city street where everyone suddenly freezes mid step, their expressions locked in time. Or imagine receiving a phone call from your past self, the voice on the other end eerily accurate yet impossible.

Modern technology has amplified our capacity for surreal experiences. Augmented reality and virtual reality blur the lines between the physical and the digital, creating spaces where the surreal thrives. Social media, too, can feel surreal, a curated collage of lives that seem both authentic and artificial.

The Cultural Impact of the Surreal

Surrealism has left an indelible mark on culture, influencing not only art and literature but also fashion, advertising, and even politics. Designers like Elsa Schiaparelli incorporated surrealist elements into their creations, such as lobster dresses and shoe hats. Advertisers use surreal imagery to captivate audiences, creating memorable campaigns that linger in the mind.

In film, directors like David Lynch, Guillermo del Toro, and Michel Gondry have drawn on surrealism to craft narratives that defy conventional storytelling. Lynch’s Eraserhead and Twin Peaks delve into the uncanny, blending the mundane with the grotesque. Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth weaves fantasy and horror into a deeply surreal exploration of innocence and brutality.

Surrealism in Personal Experience

We’ve all encountered moments that feel surreal, a sudden snowfall in the middle of summer, a chance meeting with a stranger who knows your name, or a vivid dream that lingers long after waking. These experiences remind us that reality is not fixed; it’s malleable, shaped by perception and context.

One true story that encapsulates the surreal took place during a routine commute. A woman boarded a train, her thoughts preoccupied with the day ahead. As the train entered a tunnel, the lights flickered, and for a split second, the reflection of the passengers in the window appeared to age decades. Wrinkled faces stared back, their eyes holding wisdom and sorrow. When the lights stabilized, everything returned to normal. Was it a glitch, a trick of the mind, or something more? The moment left her questioning the boundaries between the present and the future, the real and the imagined.

Why We Crave the Surreal

The surreal appeals to us because it disrupts monotony and invites us to see the world anew. It challenges our assumptions, encourages curiosity, and fosters creativity. In a world dominated by routine and predictability, the surreal offers a taste of the extraordinary.

Moreover, the surreal provides a safe space to explore complex emotions and ideas. It allows us to confront fears, desires, and uncertainties in a way that feels indirect yet deeply resonant. Surrealism doesn’t demand answers; it thrives on ambiguity, leaving room for interpretation and introspection.

What makes something surreal is its ability to transcend ordinary perception, to transport us to a realm where reality and imagination converge. Whether encountered in art, nature, technology, or everyday life, the surreal captivates and challenges us, offering glimpses into the infinite possibilities of existence. It reminds us that the world is not as rigid as it seems, that wonder and mystery lurk just beneath the surface. By embracing the surreal, we open ourselves to a richer, more imaginative experience of reality, one where the impossible feels tantalizingly within reach.

Article Published By Gerry Martinez A Landscape Art Painting Artist