100 Years of Surrealism

This April the San Francisco Public Library celebrates the 100th anniversary of Surrealism with film screenings, book displays, a collage workshop and pop-ups, an online art history presentation and more. 

The French poet André Breton (1896–1966) launched the literature, art and cultural movement known as Surrealism in 1924 with his Manifesto of Surrealism. This beguiling manifesto proposed new ways of seeing, creating and living that would restore to an alienated populace childhood’s sense of wonder. Breton demanded total freedom for the imagination and liberation from all conventions, but also suggested techniques such as automatic writing, hypnosis, parlor games and dream analysis for achieving these utopian aims.

Surrealism’s “revolution of the mind” did not confine itself solely to the realm of art and aesthetics. From the beginning, Surrealism declared itself vehemently opposed to militarism, colonialism, sexual repression, religious oppression, economic injustice, censorship and racism. The Surrealist movement was also strikingly international and included many women and sexual minorities.

After Breton’s death, musicians and filmmakers such as Ted Joans, Eva Koťátková, David Lynch, Raúl Ruiz, Carla Kihlstedt and the band The Magnetic Fields continued to popularize Surrealism’s aesthetic. Surrealism’s aim, Breton wrote, was to “transform the world” and “change life.” That fight continues.

Explore Surrealist Displays at the Main Library
Visit the Main Library to discover displays showcasing a selection of surrealist and surrealism-inspired books. Learn about the art, the movement, and the groundbreaking artists who shaped this extraordinary genre—on view in the Art, Music & Recreation Center - 4th Flr. and the General Collections & Humanities Center - 3rd Flr.