Surrealism is a movement in visual art and literature that flourished in Europe between World Wars I and II. Surrealist artists sought to challenge the prevailing norms of reality by using dream-like images or objects, often depicting disjointed or irrational scenes. Symbolism was also an important part of surrealist thought, as were aspects of automatic writing and Dada poetry. The goal of surrealism was to create works that could not be understood logically but which offered instead a new perspective on perception.
Surrealism had a significant influence on the development of movements in literature and movement. Many of the key themes and ideas explored in surrealist art found their way into later works of literature and movement. This includes the exploration of the subconscious and the expression of the surreal side of human experience.
The flourishing period in visual art and literature was a time of great experimentation and innovation. The movement that emerged in reaction to surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Dadaism, and New Objectivity, all flourished during this time. The explosion of movement in visual art was due to the surrealists' encouragement of experimentation and their complex and startling work.