Why Surrealism Matters

Mark Polizzotti's book "Why Surrealism Matters" explores the global impact and enduring relevance of the Surrealist movement, highlighting its influence on art, literature, and popular culture. He offers a balanced perspective, addressing the movement's achievements and challenges while recuperating its critical and imaginative essence for the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2024
Publisher: Yale University Press

Mark Polizzotti, a renowned art historian and author, delves into the enigmatic world of Surrealism in his book, Why Surrealism Matters. In this comprehensive exploration, Polizzotti carefully examines the movement's aspirations, achievements, and the challenges it faced. He aims to reclaim the critical and imaginative essence of Surrealism for the present day.

The book begins by tracing the origins of Surrealism in the early 20th century, with the Manifesto of Surrealism penned by André Breton in 1924. Polizzotti highlights the movement's influence on various art forms, including painting, sculpture, literature, and film. He explores how Surrealism challenged conventional notions of reality and explored the subconscious mind, paving the way for new artistic expressions.

Polizzotti also delves into the diverse range of artists who contributed to Surrealism, including Breton, Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Man Ray, and Dorothea Tanning. He provides a comprehensive account of their lives, works, and the impact they had on the movement. The book also sheds light on the broader social and political context in which Surrealism emerged, including the rise of fascism, World War II, and the Cold War.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to balance the movement's aspirations and attainments against its flaws and contradictions. Polizzotti acknowledges that Surrealism was not without its problems, such as its tendency towards elitism and its reliance on certain aesthetic tropes. However, he argues that these issues should not overshadow the movement's significant contributions to art and culture.

Polizzotti also explores how Surrealism continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. He discusses how the movement's themes of dreams, imagination, and the subconscious continue to be relevant in our modern world, where issues of identity, politics, and social justice are at the forefront of our minds. The book provides examples of how Surrealist ideas have been incorporated into popular media, such as Monty Python, The Theatre of the Absurd, and fashion trends.

In conclusion, Why Surrealism Matters is a valuable contribution to the study of art history and cultural studies. Mark Polizzotti's engaging and accessible writing style makes the book accessible to a wide audience, while his deep knowledge of the subject matter provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Surrealism's enduring significance. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in art, literature, and the history of ideas, and it will undoubtedly inspire and provoke thought for years to come.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 137 x 205 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300257090