Love this. I'm a huge fan of surrealism in literature and film. Less so for paintings but I still find the work and concepts so expansive. I do understand why people feel less enthused by it though than I. Thanks for sharing all of these artists and their work. I had never heard of many of them and love the historical context for why the Japanese turned towards France for a way to reduce or reject the influence of America in post-WWII Japan. Thank you!
If you are interested in expanding your surrealist experience, if you haven't yet read Juan Rulfo's novel 'Pedro Paramo' yet, I highly recommend it. Thanks again. I always learn something from your posts.
Thank you, Autumn! I'm a big fan of Rulfo and the writing in “Pedro Paramo” is wonderful. I'm hoping to translate a story from “El lLano en llamas” at some stage. Glad to hear you're a fan too!
Most surrealist art leaves me cold. These paintings are intellectually and historically interesting to me, but no more. If we ever visit an art museum together, let it be almost anything else.
I think the postwar intellectuals in Japan were more sympathetic to socialism or French thought than to America's economic and military power. In general, they believed that "anti-war" is "anti-American" as a synonym.
Thank you, Wendy and I agree with you about that work. Very strong. I'm sure your son will find plenty of art to enjoy when he comes here! If I can help with any tips, let me know.
What a fascinating array of artwork. I enjoy looking at art but know almost nothing about the different styles. It is intriguing to me how different styles have been used as subversive throughout history. Thanks for introducing me to this very different style of Japanese painting.
Good question! I glimpsed what looked like some proto-Miyazaki amongst the works, but I don't know if he traces his art back to surrealism. One to look into!
There’s something about the style that seems to lend itself to both subversion and dreams. It made me think of Jung’s idea of the personal unconscious, how it shows up in dreams and dream figures, and how some of their actions are subversive to the ego. Great post, Jeffrey!
Thank you, Priya. I see your point about subversion. I found that when the art in this exhibition became to some degree subversive, rather than simply transgressive, it became more compelling.
The paintings you displayed were actually better than I expected. That's a branch of Japanese art I'd like to know better. Thanks for this interesting introduction.
I agree with you, Jeffrey, about Surrealism in general. It doesn’t appeal. But I was stopped in my tracks by “A Woman Dressing Red Clothes and a Monster” by Hironobu Yazaki. It seems so Japanese (the mountain, the monster) but also has a David Lynch vibe. Is it Laura Palmer in that chair? Weird. I was struck by the first Elegy, and when I clicked on the link I ran across “Execution Ground.” A little heavy on symbols, but powerful. Thank you again for the opportunity to share your thoughtful observations. It’s always a great pleasure to hear your finely tuned impressions.
Thank you for that perceptive comment, Mary! The Yazaki work is amazing, isn't it? I'm so grateful to you for reading and being so generous in your comments.
I've always felt a bit the same with surrealism as you, Jeffrey - even Dali never resonated much with me, and if I had to put name to it, the cataloging of images feels sort of rote - I feel the same when authors use it in books - long lists of "interesting"/precious/mysterious things which give a surface impression but are really just a shorthand for unexplored plots, images, ideas they couldn't figure out how to use (at my most cynical ;) The painting that speaks most from the collection you published is "Gloom" with it's single, central image - it reminds me a little of that most iconic Francis Bacon triptych.
I have always struggled with surrealism too Jeffrey, conceptual art generally leaves me a little cold, I understand an artists need for expressing personal vision of course but... it isn't work I would ever get excited about.
Here you sway me, if only slightly with Hamada, who, in my limited and humble opinion, manages to convey a more real representation of the horrors of war, a subject I have an inexplicably morbid fascination for.
Thank you, as always for a great and informative piece of writing.
Thanks you, Susie, for your considered reflections. I’m finding that surrealism has limited appeal among the readers of the English Republic of Letters, but, just as I’d expect, most are open to new art even under that banner. I find that quite inspiring!
It seems your responsiveness to surrealism, Jeffrey, is like my own, less so when the representations arise, to varying amorphous degree, from dreamlike psychic subjectivity, more when so when it is moored in representations, perhaps, of collective social consciousness. These are striking works you've shared. I like them very much.
Thank you, Jay! This was a good learning experience for me. Certainly I found a lot of power in some of the works from the late 1930s onwards. I’m glad you enjoyed them too.
Fascinating essay. The Yazaki paintings look more introspective than the earlier surrealist attempts, revealing inner and outer conflict, and very much reminded of some of Frida Kahlo’s surrealistic work. But I agree with you, the tension and intrigue heighten post-war; I had to interrupt my reading here and look at an entire gallery of Hamada’s work. So dark, bleak, tormented. I felt sad seeing the next evolution as America’s influence moved in, grotesque capitalism and consumerism so clearly on display in the painters’ minds and psyches.
Thank you for this enlightening Japanese surrealism history tour!
Thank you for reading and for exploring these artists with me, Kimberley! I think we need artists who remind us of some of the ulgy compromises of our societies, just as much as we need those who celebrate the world's beauties.
I have to admit that I have struggled to get my head around surrealism in the past, but I think a large part of that comes down to being less familiar artists who have adopted this method.
Thank you for sharing details about the range of Japanese artists who have been inspired to create art in this style. But it does seem like a fitting style for portraying many themes, including those associated with war.
And I love the film Lost in Translation and didn't realise that there was a link to surrealist art (I went to watch Air at Clockenflap last night so a nice link there to the film too).
Thanks, Sarah! I have shared your difficulties with surrealism. It seemed to make more sense, as you suggest, when the artist was working through a theme such as war.
Love this. I'm a huge fan of surrealism in literature and film. Less so for paintings but I still find the work and concepts so expansive. I do understand why people feel less enthused by it though than I. Thanks for sharing all of these artists and their work. I had never heard of many of them and love the historical context for why the Japanese turned towards France for a way to reduce or reject the influence of America in post-WWII Japan. Thank you!
Thank you, Autumn! I'm really glad you enjoyed this. I have to say that putting this post together turned out to be very interesting.
If you are interested in expanding your surrealist experience, if you haven't yet read Juan Rulfo's novel 'Pedro Paramo' yet, I highly recommend it. Thanks again. I always learn something from your posts.
Thank you, Autumn! I'm a big fan of Rulfo and the writing in “Pedro Paramo” is wonderful. I'm hoping to translate a story from “El lLano en llamas” at some stage. Glad to hear you're a fan too!
Most surrealist art leaves me cold. These paintings are intellectually and historically interesting to me, but no more. If we ever visit an art museum together, let it be almost anything else.
It’s a deal! Incidentally, I wonder what you think of de Chirico, whose works I saw in Tokyo earlier this year.
Not a favorite. I’m drawn to more emotive art, in any style or century.
I think the postwar intellectuals in Japan were more sympathetic to socialism or French thought than to America's economic and military power. In general, they believed that "anti-war" is "anti-American" as a synonym.
Thank you for that insight, Iwata San! Much appreciated.
Hmm. Surrealism is always a stretch for me, but you have made these intellectually and historically interesting.
The first of the Elegy For A New Conscript paintings really jumped out to me. Very powerful.
Thanks for the insights, Jeffrey. I’ll forward this to my art-loving, son as he’s hoping to teach in Japan next year.
Thank you, Wendy and I agree with you about that work. Very strong. I'm sure your son will find plenty of art to enjoy when he comes here! If I can help with any tips, let me know.
What a fascinating array of artwork. I enjoy looking at art but know almost nothing about the different styles. It is intriguing to me how different styles have been used as subversive throughout history. Thanks for introducing me to this very different style of Japanese painting.
Thank you, Matthew! This is a humble journey of learning for me too and it's great to have you along with me.
I wonder how Hayao Miyazaki fits in to this movement
Good question! I glimpsed what looked like some proto-Miyazaki amongst the works, but I don't know if he traces his art back to surrealism. One to look into!
Can’t go wrong with a free art exhibition :)
😅
There’s something about the style that seems to lend itself to both subversion and dreams. It made me think of Jung’s idea of the personal unconscious, how it shows up in dreams and dream figures, and how some of their actions are subversive to the ego. Great post, Jeffrey!
Thank you, Priya. I see your point about subversion. I found that when the art in this exhibition became to some degree subversive, rather than simply transgressive, it became more compelling.
Awesome artistry, thanks Jeffrey.
I'm really glad you enjoyed it, Rafa!
The paintings you displayed were actually better than I expected. That's a branch of Japanese art I'd like to know better. Thanks for this interesting introduction.
Thank you, Gianni! I was pleasantly surprised too.
I agree with you, Jeffrey, about Surrealism in general. It doesn’t appeal. But I was stopped in my tracks by “A Woman Dressing Red Clothes and a Monster” by Hironobu Yazaki. It seems so Japanese (the mountain, the monster) but also has a David Lynch vibe. Is it Laura Palmer in that chair? Weird. I was struck by the first Elegy, and when I clicked on the link I ran across “Execution Ground.” A little heavy on symbols, but powerful. Thank you again for the opportunity to share your thoughtful observations. It’s always a great pleasure to hear your finely tuned impressions.
Thank you for that perceptive comment, Mary! The Yazaki work is amazing, isn't it? I'm so grateful to you for reading and being so generous in your comments.
I've always felt a bit the same with surrealism as you, Jeffrey - even Dali never resonated much with me, and if I had to put name to it, the cataloging of images feels sort of rote - I feel the same when authors use it in books - long lists of "interesting"/precious/mysterious things which give a surface impression but are really just a shorthand for unexplored plots, images, ideas they couldn't figure out how to use (at my most cynical ;) The painting that speaks most from the collection you published is "Gloom" with it's single, central image - it reminds me a little of that most iconic Francis Bacon triptych.
Thank you, Troy! I think I know what you mean by the cataloguing. And I also find “Gloom” an arresting work and was glad to see it up close.
I have always struggled with surrealism too Jeffrey, conceptual art generally leaves me a little cold, I understand an artists need for expressing personal vision of course but... it isn't work I would ever get excited about.
Here you sway me, if only slightly with Hamada, who, in my limited and humble opinion, manages to convey a more real representation of the horrors of war, a subject I have an inexplicably morbid fascination for.
Thank you, as always for a great and informative piece of writing.
Thanks you, Susie, for your considered reflections. I’m finding that surrealism has limited appeal among the readers of the English Republic of Letters, but, just as I’d expect, most are open to new art even under that banner. I find that quite inspiring!
It seems your responsiveness to surrealism, Jeffrey, is like my own, less so when the representations arise, to varying amorphous degree, from dreamlike psychic subjectivity, more when so when it is moored in representations, perhaps, of collective social consciousness. These are striking works you've shared. I like them very much.
Thank you, Jay! This was a good learning experience for me. Certainly I found a lot of power in some of the works from the late 1930s onwards. I’m glad you enjoyed them too.
Fascinating essay. The Yazaki paintings look more introspective than the earlier surrealist attempts, revealing inner and outer conflict, and very much reminded of some of Frida Kahlo’s surrealistic work. But I agree with you, the tension and intrigue heighten post-war; I had to interrupt my reading here and look at an entire gallery of Hamada’s work. So dark, bleak, tormented. I felt sad seeing the next evolution as America’s influence moved in, grotesque capitalism and consumerism so clearly on display in the painters’ minds and psyches.
Thank you for this enlightening Japanese surrealism history tour!
Thank you for reading and for exploring these artists with me, Kimberley! I think we need artists who remind us of some of the ulgy compromises of our societies, just as much as we need those who celebrate the world's beauties.
So well said Jeffrey.
I had not seen any of these paintings. Another essay that opens the mind.
Thank you, Mary! I'm so grateful to you for reading and commenting (and sharing). I think that almost all of them were new to me, too.
I have to admit that I have struggled to get my head around surrealism in the past, but I think a large part of that comes down to being less familiar artists who have adopted this method.
Thank you for sharing details about the range of Japanese artists who have been inspired to create art in this style. But it does seem like a fitting style for portraying many themes, including those associated with war.
And I love the film Lost in Translation and didn't realise that there was a link to surrealist art (I went to watch Air at Clockenflap last night so a nice link there to the film too).
Thanks, Sarah! I have shared your difficulties with surrealism. It seemed to make more sense, as you suggest, when the artist was working through a theme such as war.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Clockenflap!