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Surreal Normalists (just for fun - or maybe not?)
Website Contents © discerningways ltd
Who are the Surreal Normalists?
The Surreal Normalist movement began, almost by accident, in the opening years of the 21st Century. It began with a small group of creative dilettantes who drew inspiration from the much travelled and little known Bert Zawalski, the virtual founder of the movement, who happened to be passing at the time. Their common bond was the realisation that ‘change was here to stay’, and that to avoid being overwhelmed by the sense of future shock and poverty, they had to continually re-invent themselves.
Surreal Normalists are characterised by an external appearance and veneer of normality over an inner surreal counterpoint, that challenges the ‘norm’ without threatening its right to dictate the ‘status quo’ for the majority. Superficially, they seem quite normal in appearance and behaviour, but an inner ‘left-of-centre’, idiosyncratic approach to life is betrayed by an almost indiscernible quirkiness of manner, speech or attire. Once understood, the marks of a Surreal Normalist can be easily identified in the exponents and partisans.
The movement is neither constrained by, or associated with, any particular creative medium or discipline, but is defined by the creative scope of each associate. Whatever is the most appropriate vehicle for creative expression at the moment of inspiration or need, is the one that is adopted and exploited in the particular Surreal Normalist’s way. The options spans the visual & theatrical arts, music, fashion, literature, and crafts. Traditional and contemporary mediums and techniques are combined and used to great effect. Computer technology has also been used to extend the creative repertoire, despite the fact that some members are technophobic luddites.
The movement is a multi-disciplined, multi-media genre that is an extrapolation of the late 20th Century tradition of ‘cut-&-paste’, ‘pick-&-mix’ reality. At first glance, it appears to be yet another re-cycling eclectic idiom that parasites creative energy from the ideas and material that it borrows. On closer inspection, one will discover that it emulates a carefully constructed juxtaposition of divergent and often disoriented concepts, combined into a new cohesive and provocative awareness. The works are often highly original consummations of oblique and incisive perceptions on the ambiguous existence of modern man, that verges on the irrelevant and trite.
Surreal Normalists consider that the present is the transient moment of perception & awareness, along our journey through time to eternity. The past is a trail of memories & consequences that add substance to the journey; the future is an opportunity. How we interpret our experiences on the journey is not determined by the events alone, but by our beliefs, hopes, fears, and what has happened so far...!!!
To serendipity & beyond .........
The Surreal Normalists main objective is to have fun, and:-
- If possible, make some money at the same time
- Use the appearance of normality to gain access to areas where the undercurrent of surreal tendencies would otherwise frighten potential customers
- Make all creations essentially benevolent and potentially useful
- Explore the relationship between internal & external world experiences
- Be thought provoking
These are some of the influences and ideas associated with the SN Movement.
- Capture everyday moments/events & scenes from a 'quizzical' perspective
- Quirky incidents - trapped in time - what next? Capture a 'moment' - freeze it - then allude to what might happen next
- Double take on what appears at first sight to be normal
- Not illusionist - bearing in mind that all art is illusion
- Take advantage of Medieval symbolism
- Seek to develop external 'objective' ideals, not subjective
- Explore interplay between inner & outer worlds
- Inner world is bigger & richer than outer - greater than sum of inputs
- Plus - history, emotions - hopes & fears, memories
Bert who?
Bert Zawalski is remarkably average. Average height and build, straight brown hair, and a face that would be handsome apart from the puffiness of feature. His eyes are definitely coloured, but as they peer bemused from the shadows of his soul searching for light and revelation in the outside world, it is difficult to determine what colour they are. His wardrobe is mostly camouflage greys with a few defiantly bright colours. Despite underlying qualities and potential talents, Bert's academic achievements are also very average. Bert does not stand out in a crowd - but appearances can be deceptive. Beneath the veneer of 'averageness' there throbs a heart of gold, a mind sharper than freshly broken glass, animated by a creative flare that could change the world, if only it could be expressed. At times he is tempted to think that nobody understands him, but that would be ridiculous as no one knows enough to form a reasonable opinion. Bert's only real claim to fame is that he is virtually the founder of the Surreal Normalists.
Where is Bert from?
Bert Zawalski is a refugee from a little known country that has since been destroyed by civil war. He now lives in a parallel universe somewhere beyond Bognor Regis, and has temporarily folded time to be virtually here, and is desperate to be granted citizenship - anywhere, just to belong! As of this moment, Bert does not exist at all other than in your imagination. He is looking for sponsorship to bring him into full reality.
Where does Bert live?
Bert has temporary accommodation in a straight-faced terraced house that fronts directly onto worn and frequently puddled pavements. The greyness of the cul-de-sac that the house overlooks, is contrasted by the neighbourhood chorus of coloured curtains that are statements of individuality and self-conscious rebellions against mediocrity. Each evening, the automatic lighting of the street lamps, provides the most exciting communally shared experience, courtesy of the anonymous 'them' at the council. The event is often accompanied by the clinking of empty milk bottles being placed on uneven door steps, and occasionally by the strident noise of fighting cats. The cul-de-sac has become an open dormitory for the residents, mostly commuters to somewhere else during the day. Gone are the days of doorstep conversations across the street, now there is only assumptions to be made about the other members of the small community. The one thing they do have in common is the inclination to watch the television each evening - waiting for an experience that would transform their lives. Watching the News, seemly satisfies the need to 'keep in touch' with the real world, confirming the belief that they are better off safely secured in their homes, rather than venturing out. Consequently, there is little interaction between the neighbours, who might just about recognise each other.
What next…
Having founded the Surreal Normalists, Bert is off adventuring looking for something better to do…
Once Bert Zawalski had been categorised by the local community and accepted as an averagely nice guy, he had been forgotten. This kept everyone happy. Nobody really knows what Bert does with his time. The locals have granted him the non-identity of a commuter which conveniently explains the daily departure for work, but does not confirm his arrival elsewhere, particularly as there is nobody who shares the assumed journey with him. Occasionally, he would disappear for long periods, presumed business trips, returning to resume daily chores as if there had been no break in the routine. When questioned by those that knew him a little better, he would casually declare himself to be an ambassador, with no further explanations. This has led to much fruitless speculation as to whether he is the "man from the ministry", an enemy agent, or just one of life's self-employed romancers. On the rare occasions when he begins to recount his adventures (usually when his guard is down after a few pints of alcoholic beverage), they sound so amazing that everyone dismisses them as fantasy.
Despite the outward appearance of Bert's modestly decorated house, there is one detail that is far from average. Bert's Potting Shed has been modified into a home made time-machine. The prototype was in the bathroom heavily disguised as a shower cubicle. The unfortunate feature of this combination was that having mastered the technology of using the hot and cold water taps to control time-travelling, he had not managed to stop the water flowing at the same time. (Whenever that actually is - or was?) Consequently, when he arrives at his destination he would be soaked to the skin. To avoid undue embarrassment and long explanations he then had to wait to 'dry-out' before emerging to face the world. When the time-machine was disguised as a shower, Bert had to be very precise about where he landed. Once he was embarrassed when he landed in the ladies changing rooms at a swimming baths. By the time he had 'dried-out', quite a large queue of ladies had formed waiting to use the shower, all suitably unclad. Still, it wasn't as bad as when he completely miss-calculated and landed smack in the middle of a Trojan battle field; that was a shock! Practice and the urge to survive has somewhat improved his travelling techniques and accuracy. The Potting Shed has proved more adaptable on location, although it has been miss-interpreted as the outside toilet on more than one occasion.
So, you want to be a Surreal Normalist and join the elite band of pilgrims through time & space?
Send an email making your request to be a 'Surreal Normalist' - giving the following information...
Your Name (and the SN 'handle' that you want to be known by) - Occupation, Location & email address;
Plus your creative background & the reasons why you want to join this elite group & why you believe you qualify to be a Surreal Normalist.
This will be submitted to a Pan-Galactic Panel who will determine if your request & justification qualifies you to become a member. In the meantime - 'can you smell the colour nine?'
Others throught history who nearly qualified to be 'Surreal Normalists'
TO BE UPDATED