Massurrealism is a portmanteau term coined in 1992 to describe a trend among certain postmodern artists who combine the visual language of surrealism with imagery and techniques drawn from mass media, including pop art. The style reflects the pervasive influence of technology, advertising, and consumer culture, merging dreamlike or irrational elements with familiar symbols from everyday media environments. Massurrealist works often blur the boundary between the subconscious and the mediated reality shaped by contemporary visual culture.From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original Art Movements text
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Coined by the American Artist James Seehafer in 1992 the expression Massurrealism stands for a fusion of the dream like visions of surrealism, pop art and New Media Technology – as well as for an expression of the Hyper-real.
Starting as a grass roots art style it started to generate interest very soon in the New York Area first, then spreading to L.A. and beyond the American borders to Mexico, Russia and Europe.
Massusrrealism also is influenced by the postmodern time mass-media communications where examples of surreal imagery is present in form of print media, movies and music videos without the conscious notice of the observer that he is looking at a surreal image/scene.
The ideology behind Massurrealism is rather oriented on the writings and theories of Marshall Mc Luhan, Jean Baudrillard, Cecil Touchon than on Freud or Breton. To explain massurrealism in words is rather difficult, and might be done best by example, as the visual expressions are in continuous progress.
Period
1990s – present
Began in
United States
Founded by
James Seehafer
Key artists
James Seehafer
Related
Postmodernism, Graffiti Art, Naïve Art
How to recognise it
Key characteristics of Massurrealism
Surreal imagery combined with Pop art
Mass media and digital technology
Collage and digital manipulation
A small, loosely defined movement
Timeline
When was Massurrealism?
Massurrealism is usually dated 1990s – present, beginning in United States. Dates for art movements are approximate: artists joined and left, and styles overlapped.
