I've read a fair bit of Freud over the years, (though personally always gravitated much more towards Jung's writing.) But I actually had no knowledge of how Freudian ideas leak into surrealism so much, nor did I know of Andre Breton's background as a psychology student too.
So thanks for this.
(p.s Also, I have to say I totally relate to what you say about Dali too. He's someone I've never been able to bring myself to feature on Art Every Day either!)
Thank you! Freud is definitely interesting. I can see why he was so influential despite some of his odder ideas, and I do think the concept of the Id, Ego, and Superego is really good. But I agree, I think Jung’s work is much more interesting. It’s weird to think Freud inspired an art movement AND had a famous artist as a grandson.
I’m glad I’m not the only one with meh feelings about Dali. I never got the appeal.
Thanks for your article, I also find Dalí repulsive, and he was, apart from a fascism supporter, what we call in Spanish a "chaquetero". Chaquetero comes from chaqueta, which means jacket. A Chaquetero is a person who changes ideology capriciously when it benefits them personally (they change their jacket shamelessly). So Dalí was among progressive people, then he was progressive, and when Franco did the coup and won, then he became a fascist, cause it was more convenient. It's almost even worst, cause he was an oportunist motherfucker. Even his works I never liked, they looked like a copy of Ives Tanguy. Anyways another surrealist I love is Max Ernst, although I think he was an asshole with women, as almost all of them in that period sadly. I have no idea about his connection to surrealist movement though, but his work speak to me deeply. Thanks for your article and giving Freud some credit :)
Sabes que me ENCANTARIA Espanol. Chaquetero! Oh my goodness that's a perfect way to describe him. I can't believe I like Picasso more than him (I mean I can, I prefer Picasso's work overall, but Picasso was no saint himself). But yes, you're right most of them were not great towards women. I hate saying that it's 'normal for the times' because I don't think being an asshole is ever 'normal.' But I do think the Surrealist in particular had some odd views on gender. But alas I agree, I do adore the work of Max Ernst. Now his WIFE, on the other hand? So much better.
YES!! Dorothea Tanning was an unbelievable artist. I saw an exhibition of her works many years ago at Reina Sofia Museum here in Madrid and it marked profoundly, there were amazing paintings, for me specially more at the end, but then the sculptures are absolutely unbelievable. They brought the odd hotel room where all furniture gets alive. Impressive work indeed. I had forgotten Max Ernst was her husband, she don't need no men to be the best :)
Also funny thing about her marriage to Max Ernst, but he was dating Peggy Guggenheim before moving on to Dorothea and Peggy was PISSED and wrote a memoir where she basically trash talks them and she doesn't even hide it. It's pretty funny.
Hahahahaha there is a very famous podcast in Spain called Deforme Semanal and they have told the life story of Peggy, they call it Coti Vintage (Coti as in cotilleo, which means chisme too) 🤣🤣 we are all up for the chisme vintage!!
Oh man Reina Sofia Museum is on the top of the list of museum I want to visit. I've been wanting to go to Madrid for years. But yes, I totally agree Dorothea Tanning's sculptures are incredible. Honestly everything she touches is magic. She even wrote poetry! And she lived to be 100! I just UGH I love her.
I can't wait for more, Luka! I'm with you on Dali, but you have to admire his skill and he does often bring people to surrealism. In the end, though, as you know, I think the women are where it's at and I'm glad you are heading to them soon.
There's no real divergence between us here but I did want to stick up for the principle of automatic writing which I've been teaching and blogging about for more than a decade. As the better known 'freewriting', it's a great technique to generate a rough draft and, while I'm totally with you on editing, which I think all writers must do and do again, the idea of beginning without an audience breathing down your neck or any fixed aim has been really helpful to me, many of my students and thousands of writers around the world. What very few seem to realise is that we owe this appreaoch to the surrealists! I tried for a long time to point this out on an old website and video course (https://www.freewriterscompanion.com) but I've moved on now to the women surrealists which are the subject of my Substack and my new novel, out on 15th October.
I'll get on and subscribe so I can be sure of reading the whole of your series and re-stack it, too.
Thank you Kathy. Hearing from you is the best encouragement anyone could get.
And thank you for your commentary on automatic writing. I've been trying to read more since I saw your comment to ensure I have a better understanding. I suppose with a topic as big as surrealism there's going to be a lot of misinformation (hence Frida being called a surrealist) (which I would love to hear your thoughts on!). I've had to double my reading at times because I'll here one thing one day and then a totally contradictory thing another. BUT, I know you're coming from a place of real understanding, so I sincerely appreciate and value that. How strange to think surrealism is largely the birth of 'free writing.' ALSO! I'm keeping my eyes out for your new novel!!
I loved it Luka! I also enjoy re-reading about Freud and the interpretations of dreams. This reminded me when I studied it during my philosophy class back in high school. Also well done of nicknaming the Superego the “Pinterest self” so accurate and well thought of.
I also appreciate your comment about Frida Kahlo and interestingly I also use that same quote for a previous post of mine about her work.
Such an interesting opening to the series, Luka.
I've read a fair bit of Freud over the years, (though personally always gravitated much more towards Jung's writing.) But I actually had no knowledge of how Freudian ideas leak into surrealism so much, nor did I know of Andre Breton's background as a psychology student too.
So thanks for this.
(p.s Also, I have to say I totally relate to what you say about Dali too. He's someone I've never been able to bring myself to feature on Art Every Day either!)
Thank you! Freud is definitely interesting. I can see why he was so influential despite some of his odder ideas, and I do think the concept of the Id, Ego, and Superego is really good. But I agree, I think Jung’s work is much more interesting. It’s weird to think Freud inspired an art movement AND had a famous artist as a grandson.
I’m glad I’m not the only one with meh feelings about Dali. I never got the appeal.
Thanks for your article, I also find Dalí repulsive, and he was, apart from a fascism supporter, what we call in Spanish a "chaquetero". Chaquetero comes from chaqueta, which means jacket. A Chaquetero is a person who changes ideology capriciously when it benefits them personally (they change their jacket shamelessly). So Dalí was among progressive people, then he was progressive, and when Franco did the coup and won, then he became a fascist, cause it was more convenient. It's almost even worst, cause he was an oportunist motherfucker. Even his works I never liked, they looked like a copy of Ives Tanguy. Anyways another surrealist I love is Max Ernst, although I think he was an asshole with women, as almost all of them in that period sadly. I have no idea about his connection to surrealist movement though, but his work speak to me deeply. Thanks for your article and giving Freud some credit :)
Sabes que me ENCANTARIA Espanol. Chaquetero! Oh my goodness that's a perfect way to describe him. I can't believe I like Picasso more than him (I mean I can, I prefer Picasso's work overall, but Picasso was no saint himself). But yes, you're right most of them were not great towards women. I hate saying that it's 'normal for the times' because I don't think being an asshole is ever 'normal.' But I do think the Surrealist in particular had some odd views on gender. But alas I agree, I do adore the work of Max Ernst. Now his WIFE, on the other hand? So much better.
YES!! Dorothea Tanning was an unbelievable artist. I saw an exhibition of her works many years ago at Reina Sofia Museum here in Madrid and it marked profoundly, there were amazing paintings, for me specially more at the end, but then the sculptures are absolutely unbelievable. They brought the odd hotel room where all furniture gets alive. Impressive work indeed. I had forgotten Max Ernst was her husband, she don't need no men to be the best :)
Also funny thing about her marriage to Max Ernst, but he was dating Peggy Guggenheim before moving on to Dorothea and Peggy was PISSED and wrote a memoir where she basically trash talks them and she doesn't even hide it. It's pretty funny.
Can you imagine to date Peggy Guggenheim and leave her for Dorothea Tanning?!?!😂 This History period is nuts!!
I know!! And apparently that's not even the start of Max Ernst’s messy dating life. But I love it. Gimme the chisme!
Hahahahaha there is a very famous podcast in Spain called Deforme Semanal and they have told the life story of Peggy, they call it Coti Vintage (Coti as in cotilleo, which means chisme too) 🤣🤣 we are all up for the chisme vintage!!
Oh man Reina Sofia Museum is on the top of the list of museum I want to visit. I've been wanting to go to Madrid for years. But yes, I totally agree Dorothea Tanning's sculptures are incredible. Honestly everything she touches is magic. She even wrote poetry! And she lived to be 100! I just UGH I love her.
I can't wait for more, Luka! I'm with you on Dali, but you have to admire his skill and he does often bring people to surrealism. In the end, though, as you know, I think the women are where it's at and I'm glad you are heading to them soon.
There's no real divergence between us here but I did want to stick up for the principle of automatic writing which I've been teaching and blogging about for more than a decade. As the better known 'freewriting', it's a great technique to generate a rough draft and, while I'm totally with you on editing, which I think all writers must do and do again, the idea of beginning without an audience breathing down your neck or any fixed aim has been really helpful to me, many of my students and thousands of writers around the world. What very few seem to realise is that we owe this appreaoch to the surrealists! I tried for a long time to point this out on an old website and video course (https://www.freewriterscompanion.com) but I've moved on now to the women surrealists which are the subject of my Substack and my new novel, out on 15th October.
I'll get on and subscribe so I can be sure of reading the whole of your series and re-stack it, too.
Great stuff!
Thank you Kathy. Hearing from you is the best encouragement anyone could get.
And thank you for your commentary on automatic writing. I've been trying to read more since I saw your comment to ensure I have a better understanding. I suppose with a topic as big as surrealism there's going to be a lot of misinformation (hence Frida being called a surrealist) (which I would love to hear your thoughts on!). I've had to double my reading at times because I'll here one thing one day and then a totally contradictory thing another. BUT, I know you're coming from a place of real understanding, so I sincerely appreciate and value that. How strange to think surrealism is largely the birth of 'free writing.' ALSO! I'm keeping my eyes out for your new novel!!
This is my post about Friday Kahlo https://giselledaydreams.substack.com/p/self-portrait-with-thorn-necklace
I’m bookmarking it! :)
I loved it Luka! I also enjoy re-reading about Freud and the interpretations of dreams. This reminded me when I studied it during my philosophy class back in high school. Also well done of nicknaming the Superego the “Pinterest self” so accurate and well thought of.
I also appreciate your comment about Frida Kahlo and interestingly I also use that same quote for a previous post of mine about her work.
Looking forward to your next post.
Thank you! What I’d this post? I’d love to read it!