National Galleries of Scotland

Collage

An image constructed from found materials, such as photographs, paper or fabric, glued to a surface, sometimes with additional painted or drawn elements. It is an art form particularly associated with Dada and Surrealism.

Dada

A radical artistic and literary movement that was a reaction against the cultural climate that supported the First World War. The Dadaists took an anti-establishment attitude, questioning art's status and favouring performance and collage over traditional art techniques. Many Dadaists went on to become involved with Surrealism.

Object art

A term used for sculptures incorporating found objects. After the 1940s the word 'assemblage' is more commonly used.

Solarization

A term frequently applied to a photographic process discovered by the 19th century French scientist Armand Sabattier. A photograph is manipulated during processing to reverse the tones, producing strange shadows and outlines around objects. The Surrealist photographer Man Ray is known for his experimentation with this technique.

Surrealism

A literary and artistic movement founded by the poet André Breton in 1924. Many of the associated artists, such as Max Ernst and Jean Arp, had previously been involved with Dadaism. The movement sought to challenge conventions through the exploration of the subconscious mind, invoking the power of dreams and elements of chance. Cultural hierarchies were challenged by the combination of diverse elements in collages and sculptural assemblages. The movement is also notable for the collaborations between artists and writers evident in the Surrealists' many publications.