‘It is clear that to shut oneself off from game-playing… is to undermine the best of one’s own humanity’ (André Breton, pope of Surrealism). For the Surrealists play was not only a form of entertainment but also a method of investigation, a way of freeing themselves from rationalism and subverting ordinary thought patterns in order to connect with the unconscious, awaken the dream world and tap into potential creative ‘madness’. For, when you play, you create a magic circle around yourself and imagine the world as it could be: play as a form of creative resistance. The Surrealists developed a series of techniques, strategies and games to achieve these aims and, being easily and instantly accessible, drawing was one of the mediums that the surrealists particularly employed. We too will draw (and collage) for an evening of Surrealist Parlour Games. After a brief overview of some of the games played by the Surrealists, we will have a go at collectively making some ‘cadavre exquis’ and a ‘dessin successif’, we will try out decalcomania and entopic graphomania, and we will make some found/cut-up poetry which can serve as titles for our pieces. Finally we will relinquish some control and attempt some ‘(semi-) automatic drawing. Drawing materials and paper will be supplied, but feel free to bring your own too, as well as any old books/magazines that can be cut up. This is a free ticketed event. 18+ For access bookings, please contact boxoffice@summerhallarts.co.uk This workshop is presented alongside the Caput Mortuum exhibition by artist Flore Gardner. Find out more.

Description supplied by the event organiser.