Assignment #21: Surrealism

"What is the difference between real and surreal?  What does it mean when, in conversation, someone says, "That's so SURREAL!"?  Take a look at the images below from two Surreal artists.  Where did their visions come from?  Where do these images take the viewer?  Why?"

Surreal is different from real in that it breaks the boundaries of "real". Something that would be real could be seen in everyday life, where as surrealism represents something other-worldly or impossible. In the images of the surreal photos, they each contain an element of impossibility or oddity because they are obviously not just snapshots of a naturally occurring occasion. However, the images contain objects or images of real things, such as rocks, people, or ropes. In each photo, these objects are arranged in a way to present an interesting and awe-inspiring image that takes the viewer to the realm of impossibility and thus, surrealism. I enjoy Man Ray's work because his images are intriguing and captivating, and stand out in the surreal photography world because he wasn't around to use photoshop.