Surrealism

I am a writer. But am I a surrealist writer?

I guess sometimes we all can be.

While the word did not really make sense to me. Surrealism seems to be a combination of sure and realism, and sounds a little bit sarcastic. "Sure I am a realist ...... not!"

According the the online sources, Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members. Surrealist works feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and humor.

However, many Surrealist artists and writers regard their work as an expression of the philosophical movement first and foremost, with the works being an artifact. Leader André Breton was explicit in his assertion that Surrealism was above all a revolutionary movement.

Surrealism developed out of the Dada activities during World War I and the most important center of the movement was Paris. From the 1920s onward, the movement spread around the globe, eventually affecting the visual arts, literature, film and music of many countries and languages, as well as political thought and practice, philosophy and social as well as political theories.

World War I scattered the writers and artists who had been based in Paris, and in the interim many became involved with Dada, believing that excessive rational thought and bourgeois values had brought the conflict of the war upon the world. The Dadaists protested with anti-art gatherings, performances, writings and art works. After the war, when they returned to Paris, the Dada activities continued.

So, why do I write about surrealism on my travels?

Well, as soon as we are ready, we are heading out for a later breakfast and go to GoMA or Gallery of Modern Arts in Brisbane, another destination just a stones throw from our hotel and a nice walk down the Southbank of Brisbane River.

Brisbane GoMA is currently having a surrealism art display. As such, it made me wonder what surrealism is all about.

Dr Zhivago , the book written by Boris Pasternak and one time banned by the red shirts or the red army or the communist must surely fall into that category.

I have always said that everything happens for a reason.

Yesterday, Dr Zhivago musical stirred somethings within me. And today, a art exhibition.

I remember a long time ago, when I was maybe five or six, I told my mother that I wanted to become like Mahatma Gandhi. That was just a child's foolish dream to lead a revolution.

Do we need a revolution?

Do we need rallies?

A revolution by the people for the people eventually requires a leader that is also going to be corrupted.

Look at what happened to all the countries that have had revolutions.

In Russia, the red shirt revolution started by the people with idealistic beliefs soon became the Red Army and the communist party which created the great iron curtain which eventually tumbled and now Russia is back to the corrupted bourgeois society it was before the revolution.

A revolution requires no leaders, no speakers and no rallies.

We need writers, poets, artists and speakers to stir that feeling into the farmer, the driver, the gardener, the housewife, the businessman, the politician, the IT service manager or the other writers, poets, artists  and speakers.

We need people to believe in change and change themselves.

Surrealism.... is it realistic or idealistic. Sure I am a realist. I know I cannot change the whole world nor can I change things within my family. But what I can do is change myself with the help of my guardians and angels and hopefully with the guidance from God, I can change myself.

If each one of us stopped pointing fingers and just changed themselves positively, the world will already be a better place to live in.

We do not need clean yellow tee shirts or green or blue or any color shits for the matter of fact. I am today wearing a purple shirt and tomorrow a black shirt. Why? Because those are the only two unwashed shirts left in my bag. There is no idealistic reason for it, just a realistic and practical reason for it.

Today I enjoy the rest of what Brisbane has to offer me and then another day tomorrow in this interesting city before I head back to my home on a late night flight.

Take care and be well.