Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. To understand the concept and history of Surrealism as an art movement in the early 20th century.

   • Students will be introduced to the key figures of Surrealism, such as Salvador Dali and René Magritte, and their significant contributions to the movement.
   • The teacher will provide a brief overview of how Surrealism emerged as a reaction to World War I and the rise of Freudian psychology.

2. To explore the techniques and elements of Surrealism.

   • The students will be familiarized with the key techniques employed in Surrealist artworks, such as automatism, the use of unexpected juxtapositions, and the transformation of everyday objects into fantastical creations.
   • The teacher will highlight the importance of the dreamlike and irrational elements in Surrealist art, and how they challenge the traditional notions of reality and representation.

3. To encourage students to create their own Surrealist artworks.

   • The students will be given the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained about Surrealism by creating their own artworks in the Surrealist style.
   • The teacher will guide the students in this process, providing feedback and suggestions as needed.

Secondary Objectives:

• To foster creativity and imagination in the students' art-making process.
• To promote critical thinking and discussion about the concepts and ideas behind Surrealism.
• To enhance students' appreciation and understanding of contemporary art by relating Surrealism to current art trends and movements.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher begins by reminding students of the previous lessons on different art movements, particularly the Realism and Impressionism movements. The teacher highlights how Surrealism, which emerged in the early 20th century, was a radical departure from these earlier movements, focusing on the irrational and the dreamlike rather than the realistic representation of the world. (2 - 3 minutes)

2. To capture the students' attention, the teacher presents two famous Surrealist artworks:

   • "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dali, known for its melting watches and dreamlike landscape.
   • "The Treachery of Images" by René Magritte, featuring a realistic pipe with the caption "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" (This is not a pipe), challenging the viewers' perception of reality. (2 - 3 minutes)

3. The teacher then contextualizes the importance of Surrealism by discussing its influence on contemporary art and culture. The teacher can mention how elements of Surrealism can be seen in modern advertising, fashion, and film. For instance, the teacher could bring up the music video for "Take On Me" by A-ha, which features a blend of live-action and comic book animation, a technique reminiscent of Surrealist collage. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. To introduce the topic and pique the students' curiosity, the teacher shares two interesting facts about Surrealism:

   • The term "Surrealism" was coined by Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917, and it was officially launched as a movement with the publication of the Surrealist Manifesto by André Breton in 1924.
   • Surrealism was heavily influenced by Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious mind and dream analysis. Many Surrealists practiced automatic writing, a technique where they would write without conscious thought, allowing their unconscious mind to express itself. (2 - 3 minutes)

5. The teacher concludes the introduction by stating the objectives of the lesson and explaining that the students will have the opportunity to create their own Surrealist artworks, putting into practice what they learn about Surrealism. (1 minute)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Classroom Activity: "Surrealist Collage Creation" (10 - 12 minutes)

   • The teacher divides the class into small groups of 3 to 4 students and provides each group with a set of old magazines, scissors, glue, and large sheets of paper.

   • The teacher explains that the students' task is to create a Surrealist collage using elements from the magazines. They should cut out different objects, people, animals, etc., and place them in a way that defies logic or common sense.

   • The teacher emphasizes the role of surprise and irrationality in Surrealist art. The students should not be concerned with creating a coherent narrative or a realistic depiction of the world. Instead, they should aim to create a dreamlike, nonsensical composition that challenges the viewer's perception.

   • The teacher moves around the classroom, offering guidance, and facilitating discussions within the groups. They ask probing questions about the choices made in the collage, encouraging the students to articulate their creative decisions.

   • After the collages are completed, each group presents their work to the class, explaining the thought process behind their creation and how it embodies the principles of Surrealism. The teacher provides feedback and commends the students on their creativity and understanding of the Surrealist style.

2. Classroom Activity: "Surrealist Drawing Game" (8 - 10 minutes)

   • The teacher introduces the next activity as a fun drawing game inspired by the Surrealists' use of automatic drawing.

   • The teacher explains that each student will take turns drawing a line or a shape on a large sheet of paper, and then pass it to the next student, who will add to the drawing. The process continues, with each student adding to the artwork, with no one knowing what the final picture will look like.

   • The teacher reminds the students to let their imagination run wild. They can add any elements they want, no matter how strange or nonsensical, and they should not worry about making the drawing "look good" in a traditional sense.

   • Once every student has had a turn, the teacher facilitates a class discussion about the final drawing. The teacher prompts the students to identify the different elements in the drawing and how they work together (or don't work together) to create a surreal image.

   • The teacher concludes the activity by connecting it back to the principles of Surrealism, emphasizing the role of the subconscious and the unexpected in the creative process.

3. Classroom Activity: "Surrealist Object Association" (2 - 3 minutes)

   • As a wrap-up activity, the teacher presents a collection of everyday objects to the class, such as a rubber duck, a feather, a toy car, etc.

   • The teacher asks each student to pick two random objects from the collection and, without thinking too much, associate them with each other.

   • The teacher emphasizes that the associations should be as surprising and irrational as possible, again highlighting the Surrealist principle of unexpected juxtaposition.

   • The students share their associations with the class, and the teacher leads a brief discussion about the role of surprise and irrationality in creativity and how this activity relates to Surrealist art.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion and Reflection (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher brings the class back together and facilitates a group discussion about the activities. The teacher asks each group to share their collages and the results of their drawing game.
   • The teacher encourages the students to discuss the process of creating their artworks, the challenges they faced, and the decisions they made. The teacher also prompts the students to reflect on how their artworks reflect the principles of Surrealism.
   • The teacher highlights the importance of the unexpected and the irrational in Surrealist art and reinforces how this differs from more traditional art movements like Realism and Impressionism.
   • The teacher asks the students to consider how Surrealism challenges the way we perceive the world and the role of art in expanding our understanding of reality.

2. Individual Reflection (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher asks the students to take a few moments to reflect individually on the lesson and their own learning. The teacher poses the following questions:
     1. What was the most important concept you learned today about Surrealism?
     2. How does Surrealist art challenge traditional notions of reality and representation?
     3. How did creating your own Surrealist artworks enhance your understanding of this art movement?
     4. What questions or curiosities do you still have about Surrealism?

3. Recap and Connection to Real-World Applications (2 minutes)

   • The teacher concludes the feedback session by summarizing the key points of the lesson and its activities. The teacher emphasizes the importance of creativity, imagination, and the ability to think outside the box in the artistic process and in life in general.
   • The teacher reminds the students that Surrealism is not just a historical art movement but also a way of thinking and perceiving the world. The teacher encourages the students to apply the principles of Surrealism in their daily life, such as being open to new ideas, questioning the status quo, and embracing the unexpected.
   • The teacher also highlights how elements of Surrealism can be seen in contemporary art, advertising, and even in popular culture, reinforcing the relevance of Surrealism in today's world.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary and Recap (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. This includes the definition of Surrealism as an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, its emphasis on the irrational and dreamlike, and its techniques like automatism and unexpected juxtapositions.
   • The teacher highlights how the students got a hands-on experience with Surrealism through the collage creation, drawing game, and object association activities. The teacher commends the students on their creativity and understanding of the Surrealist style.

2. Connection of Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and real-world applications. The theory was introduced through the history and principles of Surrealism, the practice was the creation of Surrealist artworks, and the real-world applications were demonstrated through the discussion of Surrealism's influence on contemporary art and culture.
   • The teacher emphasizes that the goal of the lesson was not just to teach about Surrealism as an art movement, but also to cultivate the students' creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills. The teacher notes that these skills are not only valuable in the art world but also in many other fields and aspects of life.

3. Additional Materials (1 minute)

   • The teacher suggests additional materials for the students to further explore Surrealism. This could include books about Surrealism, documentaries or online videos about Surrealist artists and their works, and visits to local art museums or galleries that have Surrealist artworks in their collections.
   • The teacher encourages the students to continue engaging with Surrealism and other art movements, fostering a lifelong interest in art and culture.

4. Everyday Relevance (1 - 2 minutes)

   • In closing, the teacher emphasizes the everyday relevance of Surrealism. The teacher explains that Surrealism is not just about creating bizarre and fantastical art, but it's also about challenging our preconceived notions, questioning the status quo, and embracing the unexpected and the unknown.
   • The teacher points out that these are important skills in a rapidly changing world where creativity, adaptability, and open-mindedness are highly valued. The teacher encourages the students to apply the principles of Surrealism in their daily life, from problem-solving to decision-making, and to appreciate the beauty and power of the irrational and the dreamlike.