minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Can surrealism inform photography?

Introduction
This month we will look at a painting by Salvatore Dalí, one of the masters of surrealism in art. Dalí was born on in 1904 in Figueres, Spain. From an early age he was encouraged to practice his art, and he would eventually go on to study at an academy in Madrid. In the 1920s, he went to Paris and began interacting with artists such as Picasso, Magritte and Miró, which led to Dalí's Surrealist phase. Dalí was formally expelled from the Surrealist movement for political reasons but continued his work and amassed a body of work in a wide array of art media. Though chiefly remembered for his painterly output, in the course of his long career he successfully turned to sculpture, printmaking, fashion, advertising, writing, and, perhaps most famously, filmmaking in his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock. He died in Figueres in 1989.

He is perhaps best known for his 1931 painting The Persistence of Memory, showing melting clocks in a landscape setting. (I was fortunate to stumble upon his sculpture of the melting clocks last week in Andorra, though I confess I didn’t know the sculpture version existed till then.)

Look over the painting, review some of the links below, and share with us your critical opinion about The Persistence of Memory.

Question to Consider
1. What is your opinion about the painting? The composition? The color? Does it evoke emotion? Would you want it on your wall? Why or why not?
2. What do you make of the symbolism presented in this image? What do the melting clocks mean? What does the title mean? What do you make of the distorted man on the ground?
3. Do you think an understanding of surrealism informs photographic art in any way? Why or why not? Are there any photographic artists who you think may have been influenced by the surrealist approach to art? If you know of one, share the name or link.
4. Have you ever taken or created an image that you think reflected a surrealistic approach? If so, we hope you’ll share it in your response.

Links for further study
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Dal%C3%AD
https://www.theartstory.org/artist/dali-salvador/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Persistence_of_Memory
https://www.biography.com/artist/salvador-dali
https://thedali.org/timeline/
https://www.moma.org/artists/1364
https://www.dalipaintings.com
https://mymodernmet.com/the-persistence-of-memory-salvador-dali/

fair use: https://mymodernmet.com/the-persistence-of-memory-salvador-dali/

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artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Masterful technique,fine composition, rightfully acclaimed work. I appreciated the idea of fluidity of reality and the hint of the spiritual/abstract within real objects, but never really liked Dali, great though the work is. I think it might be that much of his symbolism is about weakness: melted watches, desolations landscape, flaccid shapes on crutches. His Christian surrealism seems much more positive, more strong.

I've done some surrealism, but it never "stuck" as an approach for me develop. Here is "Bone Window."

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srt101fan

I have no problem accepting the “The Persistence of Memory” as a major work of art. It does evoke emotion, but I am at a loss to express my reactions to it in terms of a “critical opinion”. There is definitely an impact, it is definitely thought-provoking, but I cannot analyze this painting any more than I can analyze my dreams.

With regard to wanting it hanging on my wall: Probably not, unless I were a rich art collector and could keep it in a separate room dedicated to “difficult” art. I react to this painting (and much of Dali's work) as I react to the works of Chaime Soutine, Francis Bacon or Edvard Munch (among many others): Interesting to look at and stimulating, but I’d rather like to keep the encounters short!

Photographers influenced by surrealism probably include Jerry Uelsmannn, Duane Michals and Man Ray. (Man Ray worked in many media and I’m not sure his photographic work is considered surrealistic).

Interesting topic but you sure didn’t pick an easy one minniev!

MattPhox Loc: Rhode Island

I took an art appreciation course as an elective in 1966. I guess that it's time that I should reinvigorate my skills in this area because I just don't get it. Honestly, it just doesn't do anything for me. srt101fan's post mentioned Jerry Uelsmann. I admit ignorance here also so I looked him up and found that I really did like his works. Dali-----Meh!

ps A friend of mine who graduated with an art degree of some sort used to tell me that I just didn't understand Jackson Pollack. I pooh-poohed that notion for many decades until viewing some of his stuff in an exhibit at the Chicago Art Institute. The work caught the attention of my admiring eye before I knew who the artist was. So I guess that if I digest Dali's stuff and let my subconscious work on it long enough, I just may someday have an aha moment. Given my advanced age as of now, I'm not betting on it.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

I'm really enjoying the sincerity of the responses so far, personal and reasoned. By the way, I googled surrealistic photography, clicking on "Images" in Google, and was set down a bit by the number of photos that showed up. I still am not moved emotionally or mentally by Surrealism, but I also don't enjoy listening to others' dreams, and can tell they have felt the same about mine. Surrealism seems to fall outside of emotion expression and pursuit of idea, and is in unreal territory for me. It also suffers from easy "creativity."

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Inspiration comes in many forms and dis-forms. I have been to the Dali Musem in St Pete and time to go again after study in this educational post. The post is appreciated by me... greatly.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

I've always enjoyed the works of Salvadore Dali. It always seemed like he had strange and vivid dreams, and could capture them on canvas.

Whenever I see a photograph of Dali (not his work), he's often mugging for the camera. I get the impression of a man who is (was) out there, wanting to make an impression, and wanting to be remembered. I'll paraphrase a quote of his, in which he said he enjoyed waking up, because he got to experience another day of being Salvadore Dali. Oscar Wilde with a paint brush.

So, if Dali liked to make an impression, by his appearance and attitude, his art must have some of those personality traits imbued in it. There are probably many ways to show how memory is affected by the passage of time, but Dali's way stands out, in my mind.

I've always enjoyed seeing different takes on surrealism. I liken some of Dali's work to that of photographer William Mortensen. (Ansel Adams considered William Mortensen to be the antichrist.)

I don't pretend to be anything other than a casual observer of surrealism, and Dali. His work, Persistence of Memory, was, itself, persistent in my memory. Several years ago, I put together something that was a whimsical nod to Salvadore Dali. I called it Persistence of Guitars. I posted it, way back, but I'll reprise it, just because it was fun.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

I enjoyed your take on Dali, and think it true.

I also like "Persistence of Guitars," for its wit and technique.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Thanks Bob, especially for sharing an image to illustrate your own work. And thanks for pointing out that one can admire the work of a great artist while not feeling any affection towards it.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Thanks for sharing very eloquently your opinion (which is similar to my own so I understand your post well). It is difficult art, and I prefer to be surrounded by less troubling stuff. Much as I admire Jerry Uelsmann's work, I might not want to look at it every day. But I feel the same way about much of the gothic period religious artwork that depicts the crucifixion in gory detail. Let me appreciate it as art, but let me leave it in the museum.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Art appreciation courses may help us understand art but it cannot make us like it! Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad the post helped you discover Uelsmann, who created some pretty amazing composites long before photoshop was born.

Good point that some art is often far more impactful when we view it in person.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Glad you enjoyed it. Though I can't claim Dali as one of my favorites, I see him as a major influencer in the art of successful distortion of reality. I suspect modern digital artists who create fantasy images owe much to his influence.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

This is just wonderful. I love the Persistence of Guitars! I missed it, wherever you posted it first time out, so I'm glad you posted it here. You make some excellent points re your impressions of Dali as a person. He was nothing if not exuberant, and his art is alike a dare. I fully agree with you about Mortenson, who also seemed to enjoy pushing the limits.

Thanks for a thorough, insightful post.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Here's a Adams and Mortenson mashup, for your mischievous enjoyment.

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