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I am passionate about creating visually striking works that are both intriguing and unexpected. I relish experimenting with diverse materials to produce pieces that evoke a sense of the uncanny. After careful consideration, I've determined that 'surreal' most accurately encapsulates my artistic vision. According to Cambridge Dictionary, “surreal” is defined as strange; not seeming real; like a dream. It can be understood as something strange, more like a dream than reality, with every elements and ideas mixed in a strange way. It aims to unlock the unconscious mind to create art that defies conventional logic and depicts dreamlike, often bizarre scenes. Surrealism aligns perfectly with my artistic vision. I thrive on experimentation, combining unconventional materials to craft enigmatic and thought-provoking pieces.

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1. The Grand Budapest Hotel - Wes Anderson (2014) (Movie)

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1. The Grand Budapest Hotel - Wes Anderson (2014) (Movie)

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Wes Anderson's distinctive style sets him apart in an era where many filmmakers strive for realism. His unique approach blends reality and fantasy, creating a whimsical, almost cartoonish aesthetic that has become his hallmark. In "The Grand Budapest Hotel," his eighth feature film, Anderson masterfully weaves history into a surreal landscape. The film's visual style is immediately recognizable, with its symmetrical compositions, vibrant color palettes, and meticulously crafted set designs. Every room and corridor in the hotel is expertly designed to evoke a feeling of nostalgia and richness. The hotel becomes a character in and of itself. Anderson's attention to detail extends beyond the visual elements. The film's quirky characters, intricate narrative structure, and consistent comedic tone all contribute to its dreamlike quality. The film's unyielding light-heartedness and consistent comedic tone amplify its cartoonish quality, resulting in a movie where every scene is imbued with a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere.

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2. Kind of Kindness - Yorgos Lanthimos (2024) (Movie)

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2. Kind of Kindness - Yorgos Lanthimos (2024) (Movie)

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I recently watched "Kinds of Kindness," and while I appreciated the concept Yorgos Lanthimos aimed to convey, the words "strange" and "quirky" persistently lingered in my mind throughout the viewing. Spanning three distinct stories over three hours, each narrative grows increasingly absurd, ridiculous, deranged, and surreal, brilliantly depicting the desperate need to impress or prove love to someone. The film's surrealism extends beyond its stories to the characters' reactions, which defy reality – nobody speaks like an actual human being. Even the movie poster exudes a strange and quirky aesthetic, reminiscent of René Magritte's 1927 surrealist painting "The Double Secret." This visual connection is apt, as both the painting and the film's characters grapple with the concept of "figuring out what could be hidden under themselves”. Overall, "Kinds of Kindness" is a wild cinematic experience that truly embodies the definition of "surreal," challenging viewers with its unconventional storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

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The album's surreal nature may not be apparent at first, but deeper listening reveals a complex, dreamlike narrative. It uses intricate soundscapes to create an immersive, cinematic experience that draws listeners into the protagonist Pink's psyche. The album documents Pink’s childhood experiences of loss, violence, and neglect, which ultimately destroy him and turn him into a self-loathing, hate-filled shell incapable of authentic human connection. It dives into Pink's psyche, exploring his fears, insecurities, and traumas. This descent into the subconscious mind is often characterized by surreal and distorted perceptions. Everyday objects and sounds, like crying babies and fighter jets, are used symbolically to create an immersive atmosphere representing Pink's fragmented memories and emotions. The use of unconventional sounds and abstract lyrics creates a narrative that defies conventional logic, capturing the essence of surrealism. I haven’t watched the adaptation film released in 1982 yet, but I believe that experiencing both the album and film can provide a fuller understanding of this surrealist masterpiece.

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4. Everything Everywhere All at Once - Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert (2022) (Movie)

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4. Everything Everywhere All at Once - Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert (2022) (Movie)

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I never expected a movie about the chaos of multiverse could be as surreal and profoundly emotional as Everything Everywhere All at Once. The film uses multiverse as a metaphor for Evelyn's unexplored potential and suppressed desires. The absurd and fantastical imagery serves as a visual representation of Evelyn's psychological state, capturing her disorientation and the complexity of her emotions. For instance, the universe where both Evelyn and Joy become rock symbolize for Evelyn's feelings of stagnation and disconnection. Or my favorite one, the hot dog hand universe, represent the overwhelming nature of her life and the chaotic experience of navigating multiple identities. This surreal journey ultimately allows Evelyn to confront her role in Joy's unhappiness and expand her understanding of herself and her daughter.

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5. The Lovers - René Magritte (1928) (Painting)

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5. The Lovers - René Magritte (1928) (Painting)

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By obscuring the faces of the kissing couple with cloth, Magritte subverts the conventional portrayal of intimacy, crafting a disquieting and dreamlike scene. This physical barrier between the lovers hinders genuine connection, evoking feelings of isolation and thwarted desire, aligning with surrealism's exploration of psychological tension. While Magritte claimed his work held little meaning, The Lovers resonates deeply with many viewers, myself included. It serves as a poignant reflection on love: the yearning for closeness, the complexities of communication, and the struggle for autonomy. These lovers, intimate yet eternally separated, mirror the experience of feeling alone within a relationship. This reminds me of my last relationship where I felt controlled, insecure, and guilty. This painting helps me realize my true desire for love and respect.

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6. Fictions - Filip Dujardin (2008) (Photo)

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6. Fictions - Filip Dujardin (2008) (Photo)

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What happens if we combine classical medieval architecture with the simplicity and modernity of concrete structures? That is what Filip Dujardin has been exploring in his series “Fictions” released in 2008. He often photographs buildings around his hometown of Ghent, Belgium, and collages them together to create architecture that defies the laws of physics and conventional design. By merging the ornate details of the 60s and 70s with the clean lines of contemporary architecture, he constructs intricate, interconnected worlds that seem to stretch endlessly. At first glance, these buildings look very real due to his remarkable attention to shadows. However, if we look closely at the details, we can easily see the absurdity of these buildings. He ignores the laws of physics, defying gravity and material, to create exquisite architectural compositions. Dujardin’s work is noted for its satirical take on utopian ideas and visionary architecture, offering a unique commentary on the relationship between architectural ideas and practical realities.

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7. Memento - Christopher Nolan (2000) (Movie)

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7. Memento - Christopher Nolan (2000) (Movie)

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Christopher Nolan's film Memento has always left a significant impression on me compared to his other works. While the film may not be a visual masterpiece, his storytelling transforms the material into a surreal and mind-bending experience, captivating the audience for 1 hour and 53 minutes. Unlike conventional films with linear structures, Nolan disrupts this norm by employing a non-linear narrative. The film is structured in two sequences: black-and-white scenes shown chronologically and color sequences shown in reverse order. This approach challenges the audience's perception of time, creating a disorienting and dreamlike experience. This fractured narrative mirrors the protagonist's fragmented memory (Leonard), blurring the lines between reality and unreality. Additionally, Leonard's short-term memory loss forces him to constantly question the validity of his perceptions. This perpetual uncertainty about what is real and what is imagined fosters a surreal sense of unreality. By immersing viewers in Leonard's disjointed world, Nolan creates a surrealist experience that challenges our understanding of reality and the very fabric of our consciousness.

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8. Stray Dog - Daido Moriyama (1971) (Photo)

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8. Stray Dog - Daido Moriyama (1971) (Photo)

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I am a huge fan of street photography, which to me is about capturing unique observations and the stories behind unnoticed moments. Daido Moriyama's "Stray Dog" is a prime example of this genre, blending elements of surrealism to create a powerful and evocative image. Moriyama took the photograph of the stray dog in Misawa, Japan, in 1971. As he stepped out of his hotel one morning, he encountered the dog and instinctively captured the moment with his camera. The overexposure and intense graininess transform an ordinary street scene into something otherworldly. The dog's expression, combined with the stark lighting, evokes a sense of menace and otherworldliness, as if the creature has emerged from the depths of a nightmare. This photograph not only captures a fleeting moment in time but also challenges the viewer's perception of reality, making it a timeless piece in the world of photography.

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9. Perfect Blue - Satoshi Kon (1997) (Movie/Animation)

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9. Perfect Blue - Satoshi Kon (1997) (Movie/Animation)

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I stumbled upon "Perfect Blue" quite randomly. On a day when boredom had set in, I decided to watch something new, and the movie's poster immediately caught my eye. Little did I know that this chance encounter would lead to one of the most unique cinematic experiences I've ever had. The film delves deeply into themes of identity and the persona one projects to the public. Mima's struggle to reconcile her pop idol past with her burgeoning acting career is exacerbated by external pressures and internal conflicts, leading to a fractured sense of self. This exploration of identity is heightened by the surreal portrayal of her mental breakdown, creating a visceral and unsettling viewing experience. What truly sets "Perfect Blue" apart is its masterful blurring of reality and delusion. It constantly shifts between reality and Mima’s delusions, making it difficult for me to distinguish between the two; it took me to watch the movie 2 times to understand the whole movie. "Perfect Blue" is a surreal psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines reality with delusion, identity crises, and the pressures of public persona, creating a deeply immersive and unsettling experience. I'm eagerly anticipating exploring his other works, notably "Paprika," to see how his unique vision and storytelling style evolved throughout his career.

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Mark Cohen's distinctive approach to street photography sets him apart from contemporaries like Bruce Gilden. While both use flash for close-up shots, Cohen's "decapitation" technique creates uniquely mysterious and surreal images. By deliberately cutting off subjects' heads in the frame, Cohen transforms ordinary street scenes into enigmatic compositions focused on body parts, gestures, and fragments. This technique adds an element of mystery and surrealism, turning ordinary street scenes into something more thought-provoking. His "headless" images have become a signature part of his style, influencing generations of photographers and pushing the boundaries of the medium.

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After reviewing the examples, I found immense inspiration in these works. I realized that "surreal" perfectly describes my vision for this project. I aim to channel my creativity into crafting a visually captivating video and lighting setup that embodies a dreamlike quality. I am particularly drawn to the mysterious lighting in a photo like Stray Dog and the "in another" life scenes of Everything Everywhere All at Once. To achieve this, I plan to leverage my photography, videography, and experimental techniques skills. Thus, I am seeking a music producer to collaborate with me on this endeavour.