The Brooklyn Rail

I was born in the mid-1970s in Iran, a period marked by significant upheaval. Few artists from my generation have experienced such prolonged periods of war. At the age of four, I witnessed a revolution followed by eight years of brutal conflict. This tumultuous backdrop profoundly shaped my worldview and artistic sensibilities. When I examine visual artworks across history, I find a deep resonance with Surrealism, which, like my own experience, emerged from periods of upheaval and war. Surrealism, with its roots in the early 20th century, seems particularly apt for describing a world gone mad. In times when realism appears inadequate to capture the chaos of reality, surrealism offers a more fitting perspective.

My engagement with surrealism was further enriched by the “Surrealism and Magic” exhibition at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice in 2022, curated by my dear friend Grazina Subelyte. This exhibition illuminated how surrealists like Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington, and Remedios Varo drew on ancient sources, akin to those explored by Renaissance artists such as Hiëronymus Bosch, Matthias Grünewald, and Piero di Cosimo just to name a few. These sources connect with the magical qualities found in Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian art. Tracing this lineage reveals a deep-rooted wellspring of visual and philosophical ideas that continue to inspire my own work. For me, Surrealism extends far beyond its specific historical moment.

Max Ernst, for instance, was profoundly influenced by alchemy, an ancient tradition that fueled his creativity and that of his contemporaries. This ancient root is the source of boundless inspiration, provided one can navigate its labyrinth. Ernst famously remarked that when “artists find themselves, they are lost,” highlighting the importance of curiosity and the relentless quest for knowledge. This pursuit mirrors the polymath Robert Fludd’s approach, who delved into history to uncover the roots of artistic and philosophical ideas. Today, as I observe the world, it seems more surreal than ever. The internet, with its myriad of bubbles and disconnected realities, mirrors a Hiëronymus Bosch painting. We are bombarded by a cacophony of voices, distractions that obscure the deeper sound of the universe.

Surrealism, as a non-linear movement, reaches back to prehistory, medieval and Renaissance art, and ancient alchemical symbols, while also extending forward to Abstract Expressionism and contemporary art. The essence of Surrealism lies in how we perceive the world. It harnesses imagination to interpret a reality that seems increasingly nonsensical. In the 19th century, utopian ideals were fueled by technological advancements like locomotives and steam power. Yet, the rise of totalitarian regimes and the subsequent world wars shattered these ideals. Realism, in the wake of such devastation, seemed inadequate, and this remains true today.

Surrealism provides a crucial tool for interpreting our current reality, which feels more surreal than ever with the advent of deep fakes, fake news, and AI-generated content. By studying Surrealism and its historical roots, we can navigate the storm of daily information and better understand the world presented to us through our digital screens. Surrealism offers a new pair of glasses through which to view and decipher the complexities of modern existence.