Love in Abstract-Surreal Photography
octubre 8th, 2007
Once again another difficult subject to talk about; the representation of Love in Abstract/Surreal Photography.
Let’s start by defining what is Abstract, what constitutes Surreal:
Abstract: is usually opposed to “representational” or “figurative” in art. An “abstract” picture only contains a representation of its own form, which in some way could “represent” an expanded meaning (for example Malevich’s Tumbling Cube could be seen as “instability”), but it doesn’t represent an object (for example, Empire State Building).
Abstracts are about lines and shapes. If it is recognizable as an object – it is not an abstract. If it is not recognizable, but you get the “aha – I would have never guessed it” after it’s explained to you – then it’s not an abstract either.
In other words, Abstract is Art that looks as if it contains little or no recognizable or realistic forms from the physical world. Focus on formal elements such as colors, lines, or shapes. Artists often “abstract” objects by changing, simplifying, or exaggerating what they see.
Surreal on the other hand, comes from Surrealism, which is a movement stating that the liberation of our mind, and subsequently the liberation of the individual self and society, can be achieved by exercising the imaginative faculties of the “unconscious mind” to the attainment of a dream-like state different from, or ultimately ‘truer’ than, everyday reality.
Surrealists believe that this more truthful reality can bring about personal, cultural, and social revolution, and a life of freedom, poetry, and uninhibited sexuality. André Breton said that such a revealed truth would be beatific, or in his own words, “beauty will be convulsive or not at all.” The word “surreal” is often used colloquially to describe unexpected juxtapositions or use of non-sequiturs in art or dialogue.
So is it possible to blend Love, Abstractionism and Surrealism in just one photography? I really don’t know, but I would definitely would like to see an example. If I find one, I will post it.
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