Photomontage: Surrealism Made with Scissors

This course will guide you in crafting meaningful art through the powerful technique of photomontage—collaging pieces of photographs to create entirely new visual worlds. You’ll explore the magic of combining unrelated images, pushing the boundaries of reality to develop striking, thought-provoking compositions that challenge the viewer’s perception.

Photomontage was born from the Dada and Surrealist movements, where artists sought to rebel against conventional norms and tap into the unconscious mind. By layering, splicing, and juxtaposing imagery, they created surreal and dreamlike landscapes—an approach that continues to influence contemporary art today.

We’ll draw inspiration from the rebellious photomontages of artists like Hannah Höch, Max Ernst, and Salvador Dalí, whose daring approach in the 1920s made them key figures in this revolutionary art form. You’ll learn how even a single creative crop or a bold contrast of images can produce a deep emotional impact. As we explore surrealism, you’ll discover how dreams, the irrational, and the bizarre have been used by artists to break free from logic and embrace a limitless realm of creativity.

Whether you want to create social commentary or delve into the bizarre and fantastical, this course offers a journey into the cutting edge of conceptual art, surrealism, and neo-realism. Prepare to transcend reality, let your imagination run wild, and craft captivating compositions that blur the line between the real and the impossible!

What You’ll Be Doing & Learning:

• Create your own unique photomontages using magazines and photographs.
• Step-by-step guidance in the beginning, with increasing creative freedom as you progress.
• Draw inspiration from key surrealist artists like Hannah Höch, Max Ernst, and Salvador Dalí.
• Learn how to crop and splice images creatively for emotional and conceptual impact.
• Expand your understanding of conceptual art, surrealism, and neo-realism.
• Break free from conventional thinking and unlock the full creative potential of your mind.

All levels welcome. No art experience needed.