In this open toolkit, we will learn three principles from André Breton’s Manifesto of Surrealism as a foundation for our creative expression:The open toolkit is inspired by surrealism, particularly the works of Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. This is why I chose Joan Miró’s Ciphers and Constellations, in Love with a Woman (1941) as the featured image, as its surreal forms align with the theme I wish to explore.

Now, it’s time to start your own collage journey！

Learning Goals

Who Is This For?

Everyone! 

The Birth of Surrealism

The surrealist movement, founded by André Breton in the early 20th century, sought to unlock the power of the subconscious. In his Manifesto of Surrealism (1924), Breton described surrealism as: 

SURREALISM, n. – Psychic automatism in its pure state, by which one proposes to express, verbally, in writing, or by any other manner, the real functioning of thought. Dictation of thought in the absence of all control exercised by reason, and outside all aesthetic or moral preoccupation.（1）

Figure 2: Photograph of André Breton Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/André_Breton

 

Figure 3:The cover of Manifesto of Surrealism (1924)
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrealist_Manifesto

The principles of surrealism

In this open toolkit, we will learn three principles from André Breton’s Manifesto of Surrealism as a foundation for our creative expression:

1. The Free Expression of the Subconscious

Breton envisions surrealism as a bridge between the conscious and subconscious, merging dream and reality into a unified experience.This concept liberates art from rational constraints, inviting learners to explore imagination without boundaries.

I believe in the future resolution of these two states, dream and reality, which are seemingly so contradictory, into a kind of absolute reality, a surreality.（1）

2. Automatism and Creative Methods

Automatism reflects Breton’s desire to bypass rational thought, allowing the subconscious to take full control of creation.

Pure psychic automatism, by which one proposes to express, either verbally, by means of the written word, or in any other manner, the actual functioning of thought. Dictated by thought, in the absence of any control exercised by reason, exempt from any aesthetic or moral concern （1）

3. The Goal of Surrealism

Breton distinguishes surrealism from traditional thought by championing spontaneity in creativity and emphasizing a mode of thinking free from the constraints of reason.

Surrealism is based on the belief in the superior reality of certain forms of previously neglected associations, in the omnipotence of dream, and in the disinterested play of thought.（1）

Expanding Learning: Un Chien Andalou (1929): A Breakthrough in Surrealist Movie

“Un Chien Andalou” is a landmark surrealist short movie directed by Luis Buñuel and created in collaboration with artist Salvador Dalí. Released in 1929, it is considered one of the most important works in surrealist movie.

Surrealism as a Critical Lens

Surrealism is not just an art movement; it also serves as a critical tool for examining and critiquing contemporary society.

Figure 4:The cover of The Return of the Real: The Avant-Garde at the End of the Century–Hal Foster Available at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3792328-the-return-of-the-real?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=SzStn3MPqv&rank=1

Surrealist techniques—such as collage, exaggeration, and dreamlike imagery—unveil truths that are often concealed beneath the surface of everyday life. These techniques push us to look beyond the familiar and question what we take for granted.

For example, René Magritte’s The Treachery of Images (1929), with its iconic phrase “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” (“This is not a pipe”), challenges viewers to reconsider the relationship between images and reality. By presenting a realistic image of a pipe while simultaneously denying that it is a real pipe, Magritte forces us to confront the distinction between appearance and reality. This tension invites us to reflect on how we interpret the world around us, urging us to recognize that our perceptions are often shaped by representation, not direct experience.

Figure 5:The Treachery of Images– René Magritte Available at: https://unframed.lacma.org/2013/09/09/magritte-and-the-trading-of-images

Step 1:

Ignite Inspiration with  Surrealist Artworks (5 minutes)

Figure 6:The Persistence of Memory–Salvador Dalí Available at: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79018

In Salvador Dalí’s autobiography “The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí”,Dalí elaborates on the creative technique he refers to as the “paranoiac-critical method.” This method is a psychological technique designed to induce a self-inflicted paranoid state in order to unlock the contents of the subconscious, thereby imbuing his art with symbolic meaning and visual effects that transcend rational thought. Dalí himself explains in the autobiography that by deliberately entering into a paranoid state, he is able to “see things that are usually difficult to perceive — truths that lie beneath the surface”（3）

Figure 7: Joan Miró standing in front of his painting ‘Untitled’ (1947), from the documentary ‘Around and About Joan Miró’. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1fVXEQ0HhM

 

In “Joan Miró: The Ladder of Escape”, art historian Matthew Gale explores how Miró combined automatic drawing techniques with abstract symbolism to express his exploration of the subconscious and his pursuit of creative freedom. Miró’s automatic drawing was deeply influenced by Surrealism, particularly André Breton’s theory of “automatic writing,” which aimed to bypass rationality and release the power of the subconscious.(4) As Gale points out, Miró’s painting was not merely a technical exercise but a spontaneous outpouring of the mind, characterized by strong improvisation and uncertainty.

Step 2: Create Your Surrealist Collage (10 Minutes)

Figure 8: Some Collage Fragments

Materials List

• Collage Fragments: From 10 iconic surrealist artworks

• White or Textured Paper: Examples: Kraft paper, linen paper, etc.

• Other Tools: Pencil, Scissors, Glue, Markers

There are no rules here，

Let your subconscious guide your hands

Tester A: Create a Subconscious Backdrop using Automatism (5 minutes)

1.Using your non-dominant hand or with your eyes closed, start drawing freely.
2.Add random shapes (e.g., stars, waves, abstract lines) without thinking.
3.Let it be abstract, with no logical connection—just let it flow.

Tester B: Collage the Subconscious (5 minutes)

1.Choose 10 surreal fragments.
2.Without speaking, glue them onto Tester 1’s backdrop.
3.Try overlapping, distorting, or rotating the pieces—let your intuition guide you.

Step 3: Communication and Reflection (3 minutes)

Ask Tester A and Tester B to explain the work they created subconsciously and explore whether the elements they’ve combined can logically form a coherent explanation.

Question:

“When all the elements come together, what kind of story do you think they tell?

Step 4: Sharing and Feedback (2 Minutes)

Take photographs of your collages and upload them to a social media platforms

(e.g., Instagram, Facebook)using tags such as #SurrealistCollage and #Surrealist.)

Please take a minute to complete this short 5-question survey to help me improve.

Your feedback is valuable!

Click the button below or scan the QR code to start.

https://forms.office.com/e/EeRXAfq61u

Figure 9: QR code for feedback

Thank you for your participation!

References

1. André Breton. Manifestoes of Surrealism. Translated by Richard Seaver and Helen R. Lane. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1969.
2. Hal Foster. The Return of the Real: The Avant-Garde at the End of the Century. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1996.
3. Salvador Dalí. The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí. Translated by Richard Howard. New York: Dover Publications, 1993. 155–180.
4. Matthew Gale. Joan Miró: The Ladder of Escape. London: Tate Publishing, 2011. 80–120.
5. Hal Foster. Recodings: Art, Spectacle, Cultural Politics. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1996.
6. Hans Ulrich Obrist. A Brief History of Curating. Edited by Alexandra Kley. Zurich: JRP|Ringier, 2008.
7. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). “Joan Miró: Birth of the World.” February 24–June 15, 2019. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5031.

Image Lists

Figure 1: Ciphers and Constellations, in Love with a Woman – Joan Miro (1941)

Available at: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL,USA.

Link：https://www.artic.edu/artworks/79593/ciphers-and-constellations-in-love-with-a-woman

Figure 2: Photograph of André Breton, from Wikipedia.

Available at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/André_Breton

Figure 3:The cover of Manifeste du surrealisme (1924)

Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrealist_Manifesto

Figure 4:The cover of  The Return of the Real: The Avant-Garde at the End of the Century–Hal Foster

Available at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3792328-the-return-of-the-real?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=SzStn3MPqv&rank=1

Figure 5:The Treachery of Images– René Magritte

Available at: https://unframed.lacma.org/2013/09/09/magritte-and-the-trading-of-images

Figure 6:The Persistence of Memory–Salvador Dalí

Available at: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79018

Figure 7: Joan Miró standing in front of his painting ‘Untitled’ (1947), from the documentary ‘Around and About Joan Miró’.

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1fVXEQ0HhM

Figure 8: Some Collage Fragments

Figure 9: QR code for feedback