In this self-guided online course, NGV curators and subject specialists will guide you through the history of Surrealism through research and stories behind important works in the NGV Collection. Surrealism remains one of the most influential art movements of the twentieth century, and its influence on art and visual culture remains strong today.
Starting with the birth of the movement in Europe in the 1920s, the course introduces the key techniques and processes used by the Surrealists, its arrival in Australia in the 1930s and the ways that it continues to influence artists, filmmakers and advertisers working today.
Complete the course in your own time. Access to the course will be available from 10am on Friday 11 October.
ENROLMENT
$68 Members / $75 Non-Member / $72 Concession, Student & Educator
Includes 8-week access to learning materials from the course start date (Friday 11 October). Access will expire at midnight on Sunday 8 December.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1 – Surrealism in Europe
Learn how the unprecedented violence of the First World War, and the political and psychological theories of the 1920s, led to the founding of the Surrealist movement in 1924 with the publication of the first Surrealist Manifesto. Through engaging essays and videos fro NGV Curators, learn who the key artirsts were, how it rose to prominence, and how it spread to Australia in the 1930s and 40s.
Week 2 – Surrealist Techniques
Surrealist poets and artists developed an array of unconventional techniques and processes, tapping into the subconscious realm as well as experiments that overturned the notion of individual authorship and intentionality. Explore a selection of Surrealist techniques in detail through a study of key artists including Man Ray, Max Ernst, Claude Cahun and more.
Week 3 – Sex and Violence in Surrealism
While many are familiar with the more popular and well-known aspects of Surrealism, what is less well-known is the darker elements that underpinned the movement. Why did the Surrealists have an obsession with sex and violence, and how was this reflected in their art? Please note this section of the course includes content that some people may find confronting. Parental guidance is recommended for learners under 18 years of age.
Week 5 – The Surrealist Future
How and why do contemporary artists employ and adapt the concepts, techniques and methods of Surrealism? How is Surrealism continuing to influence contemporary visual culture, from film-makers to advertisers and fashion houses? Learn about the ongoing influence of the movement with examples of works in the NGV Collection and case studies of advertising and film.
By completing this course participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of the political, geographical and cultural contexts that surround the birth and evolution of Surrealism.
- Through engagement with important works in the NGV Collection, identify and recognise key Surrealist artists, including the themes, techniques and characteristics of their work.
- Understand and identify the influence of Surrealism on contemporary art and visual culture, including in cinema and advertising.
- Identify and analyse Surrealism’s relationship to Western cultures and taboos.
This is a self-guided course and can be completed at your own pace. Each module contains readings, videos, activities and other materials that will take approximately 1–1.5 hours to complete. We recommend completing one module per week over four weeks.
INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS & EDUCATORS
Surrealism offers an inspiring and creative professional learning opportunity for teachers of all levels and subjects. Surrealism meets the following AITSL standards:
A certificate of professional learning is available on request.