Surrealism and Self Portrait Concepts

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Surrealism and Self Portrait techniques.

Surrealism

A style of art influenced by Freudian psychology that emphasizes fantasy and is revealed by the subconscious through automatic techniques.

Decalcomania

A process of applying paint to canvas, covering wet paint with another flat material, and removing the material while still wet.

Automatism

A technique in which the hand moves across a surface without rational planning or intention.

Psychoanalytic thinking

The process of bringing to light elements in a person’s subconscious that may influence behavior and mental state.

Symbolism

The use of a mark or sign with special meaning as a means of individual expression.

Biomorphism

The distortion of objects into irregular shapes resembling the freely developed curves of living organisms.

Self Portrait

A representation of an artist created by that artist, through drawing, painting, photography, or sculpture.

Symmetry

The mirror-like repetition of appearances on both sides of an imaginary central axis.

Approximate Symmetry

The use of similar imagery on both sides of a central axis, with variations to prevent monotony.

Asymmetry

Having non-corresponding appearances; uneven distribution of parts throughout.

Eyes

Halfway between skull and chin

Eye Width

vertical eye -line divided into fifths (Space-eye-Space-eye-space)

Hair Line

is one- third of the way between the top of the skull and the eye line

Eye brows

Between the eye line and 1/3 up towards forehead

Nose

Would be located 1/3 below the eyes and the width of the nose would be determined between the inner eye corner

Mouth

Tends to terminate directly below the pupil of each respective side of the face

Mouth width

The middle of the pupil would be the mouth width

Ears

The tops of the ears align with the eyebrows; the bottoms of the ears fall just below the bottom of the nose

What was the difference between art of the Mexican surrealist vs. the European surrealist?

European Surrealism often focused on exploring the subconscious and the dreamlike, while Mexican Surrealists also incorporated themes of identity, history, and the magical realism of everyday life.

What do European and Mexican surrealist have in common?

Both European and Mexican surrealists shared an interest in exploring the subconscious mind, the irrational, and the dreamlike states