Automatic art

When researching the Surrealist painters, I came across Automatic Drawing. Pioneered by André Masson, Automatic Drawing is allowing the hand to move 'randomly' across paper; this is usually done just before sleep, when very drowsy, or just after awakening. Some artists would starve themselves of sleep for days, or take drugs so as to draw using this technique.

Above is André Masson's 'Automatic Drawing' (1924). This is one of the most cited images when the subject of Automatic Drawing comes up, and while at first glance it just looks like scribbles, certain shapes can be made out. Several hands, a mangled foot, and a boat on a turbulent sea are just a few of the things I can see within this image. This is a perfect example of how from chaos comes order.

Above is 'Furious Suns', again by Masson (1925). While I cannot find any reference to it being an automatic drawing, I think I can be fairly certain in saying it is such.

I have decided to use another form of automatic art, photography. I will accomplish this by blindfolding myself and, by setting my camera to Priority (P) setting, which allows me to change the ISO, while leaving the shutter and aperture on automatic settings; at least that way I have some degree of control over the images. Once blindfolded, I will walk around a setting of my choice and allow my hand to point where it 'feels' like it wants to go, and press the shutter on my camera. So as to be safe, I will try this in my house at first, and then if I go somewhere less well known to me, I will take someone to act as a guide, to warn me of possible upcoming dangers.

I decided to change from my original proposal as I wasn't really feeling confident with it (mainly due to a lack of time), and after researching Surrealism, found the automatic side of things a more creative and interesting way to finish off the past two years at St Helens College.