Hi, it was great seeing you this afternoon. We should go out to galleries more often like we did last week so we can see photos in installations mimicking 1920’s salons (did you notice both level 3 display and level 2 gallery relied on similar curatorial approaches?), and come back inspired and aware of the legacy of surrealism, but remember in spite of your enthusiasm for the tate art world the rule of gold i passed you this afternoon is the real lesson. If you want to succeed in your next assignment, don’t try to make art, instead behave like a detective, follow Sherlock Holmes example and make it your next task to investigate the real. Ben Highmore*, author of the article surrealism: the marvellous in the everyday, which i based my presentation on, is the writer who put it well. Highmore suggests two approaches:
¬ to follow surrealists’ tactical refusal to treat surrealism as an art form
¬ to see your work as a form of research into the everyday life.
*Read another of his insightful essays on everyday life here, part of an exhibition with researchers of the everyday. And if you’re in the mood, you can buy Sherlock’s costume here. Brown jacket made of a heavy-duty fabric and matching hat. One size fits most adults. (Pipe NOT included.)
