British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Max Ernst and the Surrealist Revolution

Synopsis
Examines the relationship between the revolutionary rhetoric of surrealist literature and the works of Max Ernst, which are not evidently about revolutionary subjects. The essential link lies in the process whereby Ernst and other surrealists arrived at their imagery: they used methods designed to enable the subconscious mind to express itself. Ernst developed the techniques of collage, grattage and frottage which relied on ‘random’ events, suggesting or establishing images. The surrealist revolution lies, it is argued, in this organised artistic expression of the subconscious - to use Ernst’s own words, heard in the programme, in ‘the synthesis of objective and subjective life’.
Series
Modern Art: Practices and Debates, Course A316
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of production
1993
Availability
out of distribution
Subjects
English language and literature
Keywords
art - German; art - modern art; Ernst, Max (1891-1976); surrealism

Credits

Producer
Jeremy Cooper
Cast
David Batchelor 

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web
http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window
Phone
+44 (0) 1908 274066
Address
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Notes
NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

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