Exquisite Corpse: The Collaborative Surrealist Technique

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By Toby Leon

Unpredictable and Unforgettable: The Allure of Exquisite Corpse Art and How to Create Your Own

If you are a fan of surrealist art, you have probably heard of the Exquisite Corpse technique. This collaborative technique was invented by the Surrealists in the early 20th century as a way to create unexpected and bizarre artworks. In this article, we will explore the history of the Exquisite Corpse technique, how it was used by surrealist artists, and the step-by-step approach for you to play Exquisite Corpse with friends. We will also take a closer look at some of the most intriguing and famous works of Exquisite Corpse art.

History of Exquisite Corpse

Invented in 1925 at Andre Breton's residence in Montparnasse, Paris. Along with artists like Marcel Duchamp, Jacques Prévert, Yves Tanguy, and Benjamin Péret.
Similar to the old parlor game called "consequences," in which players write or draw in turn on a sheet of paper, fold it to conceal part of the writing or drawing, and then pass it to the next player for a further contribution.
Breton wrote that the game was a way to bypass the conscious mind and tap into the unconscious creative process.
The surrealists made many exquisite corpse drawings and used the technique in their artwork and writings throughout the 1920s and 30s.

Cadavre Exquis, also known as "Exquisite Corpse", is a drawing game invented by the French surrealist artist André Breton and his friends in 1925. The name comes from the phrase "Le cadavre exquis boira le vin nouveau" ("The exquisite corpse shall drink the new wine"), which was the first sentence created when they played the game.

The game involves multiple artists collaborating to create a composite drawing or sentence without seeing each other's contributions. Each person takes turns adding to the composition by following a rule or only being allowed to see the end of what the previous person contributed. This results in strange and unexpected juxtapositions as the drawing or text is assembled organically.

The surrealists were a group of artists and writers who were interested in exploring the subconscious and the irrational. They believed that by tapping into these areas, they could create new forms of art that were free from the constraints of traditional techniques and styles. The Exquisite Corpse technique was a way for the Surrealists to collaborate and create unexpected and bizarre artworks.

How Exquisite Corpse was Used by Surrealist Artists

The Surrealists used the Exquisite Corpse technique in a variety of ways. Some used it as a way to create drawings or paintings, while others used it to create poems or stories. The technique was often used as a game, with the Surrealists taking turns to contribute to the artwork or story. The resulting works were often strange and absurd, reflecting the Surrealists' interest in the irrational and the subconscious.

One of the most famous Exquisite Corpse artworks was created by André Breton, the leader of the Surrealist movement. In 1938, Breton organized a game of Exquisite Corpse in which the participants were required to create a drawing of a woman. The resulting artwork, known as "Cadavre Exquis," was a series of four drawings that showed different parts of the woman's body. Each drawing was done by a different artist, and the final result was a surreal and erotic depiction of a woman.

How to Play Exquisite Corpse with Friends

Playing Exquisite Corpse with friends is easy and fun. Here is a step-by-step approach:

Gather a group of friends who are interested in playing Exquisite Corpse.
Decide on the medium you will use (e.g. drawing, painting, writing).
Decide on the theme or subject of the artwork or story.
Decide on the order in which each person will contribute.
Each person starts by contributing a part of the artwork or story, without seeing the contributions of the others.
Pass the artwork or story to the next person in the order.
Each person adds to the artwork or story based only on the part contributed by the previous person.
Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the artwork or story is complete.

It is important to note that Exquisite Corpse is a collaborative technique, so it's important to keep an open mind and be willing to let go of control over the final result. The goal is to create something unexpected and unpredictable, so don't be afraid to take risks and be creative.

Famous Works of Exquisite Corpse Art

There are many famous works of Exquisite Corpse art, created by both Modern Surrealist and Contemporary artists. These 3 examples from Modern masters may not all follow the traditional Exquisite Corpse format, but they serve to demonstrate how impactful the game has been in the minds of Modern artists.

Here are some intriguing examples of Exquisite Corpse art:

"Cadavre Exquis" by André Breton

As mentioned earlier, "Cadavre Exquis" is one of the most famous Exquisite Corpse artworks. It was created in 1938 by André Breton and by André Breton, Nusch Eluard, Valentine Hugo, and Paul Eluard — known from an inscription on the reverse of the sheet, in André Breton's hand. The artwork is a series of four drawings that depict different parts of a woman's body. Each drawing was done by a different artist, without seeing the contributions of the others. Part of the Tate collection, it's made using graphite on paper.

"The Exquisite Corpse Shall Drink the New Wine" by Man Ray

This Exquisite Corpse artwork was created by the American artist Man Ray in 1927. It is a series of four photographs that show a distorted human face. The photographs were created by folding and manipulating a single sheet of photographic paper, without the use of a camera.

"Exquisite Corpse" by Max Ernst

This Exquisite Corpse artwork was created by Max Ernst in 1926. It is a painting that shows a surreal landscape with strange creatures and objects. The painting was created by collaging different images together, without any regard for traditional perspective or composition.

Exquisite Corpse on YouTube

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The Exquisite Corpse technique is a fascinating and unique approach to creating art. It allows artists and writers to collaborate and create unexpected and unpredictable works that reflect the Surrealist interest in the irrational and the subconscious. By following the step-by-step approach outlined in this article, you can play Exquisite Corpse with your friends and create your own surreal and bizarre works of art.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the term "Exquisite Corpse" mean?

The term "Exquisite Corpse" refers to a collaborative creative method that originated among Surrealist artists in the 1920s. It involves a collection of words or images assembled by multiple participants, with each collaborator adding to the composition in sequence. The process can follow a specific rule or allow participants to see only the end of the previous person's contribution. The name "Exquisite Corpse" comes from the French term "cadavre exquis," which was derived from a phrase that resulted when the Surrealists first played the game: "le cadavre exquis boira le vin nouveau" (the exquisite corpse will drink the new wine).

This method was invented in 1925 in Paris by Surrealist artists Yves Tanguy, Jacques Prévert, André Breton, and Marcel Duchamp. It gained popularity as a game in which participants took turns writing or drawing on a sheet of paper, folding it to conceal their contribution, and then passing it to the next player for further contribution. The Exquisite Corpse technique has been used by various artists since its inception and has inspired numerous creative projects, including films, music, and trailers.

What is the goal of Exquisite Corpse art?

The goal of Exquisite Corpse art is to stimulate creativity through collaboration and engage the unconscious mind in the creative process. By having multiple participants contribute to a drawing or a piece of writing without seeing the entirety of the previous contributions, the resulting composition becomes a unique and unexpected combination of ideas and styles. This method allows artists to bypass their thinking mind and create art that is more intuitive, bizarre, and surprising. It also fosters a non-competitive and non-precious atmosphere, as no single person can claim authorship of the final piece, encouraging bonding and shared experiences among the participants.

How has Exquisite Corpse art influenced other art movements?

Exquisite Corpse art has influenced other art movements and creative fields in various ways. Although it originated among Surrealist artists, its collaborative and unpredictable nature has made it appealing to a wide range of artists and creators. Here are some ways Exquisite Corpse art has influenced other art movements and fields:

Encouraging collaboration: Exquisite Corpse art promotes collaboration among artists, breaking down the barriers of individualism and fostering a sense of shared creativity. This collaborative approach has been adopted by other art movements and creative fields, encouraging artists to work together and create unique, collective works.
Embracing chance and unpredictability: The element of chance and unpredictability in Exquisite Corpse art has inspired artists to embrace spontaneity and the unexpected in their work. This approach has influenced other art movements, such as Abstract Expressionism, which also values the role of chance and spontaneity in the creative process.
Inspiring interdisciplinary works: Exquisite Corpse art has inspired creators in various fields, such as film, music, and theater, to adopt its collaborative and unpredictable nature. For example, some playwrights have used the Exquisite Corpse technique to create plays that explore the Surrealist philosophy of collective creative enterprise.
Challenging traditional artistic processes: The Exquisite Corpse technique challenges traditional artistic processes by emphasizing the importance of multiple authorship, sequencing, and chance in the creative process. This approach has influenced other art movements and creative fields to experiment with new methods and techniques, pushing the boundaries of what is considered "art".

Overall, Exquisite Corpse art has had a significant impact on various art movements and creative fields by promoting collaboration, embracing chance and unpredictability, inspiring interdisciplinary works, and challenging traditional artistic processes.

Can Exquisite Corpse be played with any medium?

Yes, Exquisite Corpse can be played with various mediums, including drawing, writing, photography, music, and film. The collaborative nature of the game allows for adaptation to different creative fields, making it a versatile method for fostering creativity and collaboration among artists and creators. Examples of Exquisite Corpse in different mediums include:

Drawing: Participants take turns drawing sections of a figure on a sheet of paper, folding it to conceal their contribution, and passing it to the next player.
Writing: Participants write a word or sentence on a sheet of paper, fold it to conceal their contribution, and pass it to the next player.
Photography: Participants can recreate or base their images on a chosen archival photograph, creating a new composition inspired by the original.
Music: Musicians can create separate tracks or sections of a song without knowing what the others have created, and then combine them to form a unique composition.
Film: Filmmakers can create separate scenes or shots without knowing the content of the others' work, and then combine them to form a unique and unexpected narrative.

The adaptability of Exquisite Corpse to various mediums makes it an engaging and stimulating method for artists and creators to collaborate and explore their creativity.

Are there any rules to playing Exquisite Corpse?

The general rules for playing Exquisite Corpse involve collaboration and concealment of previous contributions. While specific rules may vary depending on the medium used (drawing, writing, photography, etc.), the core principles remain the same:

Multiple participants: Exquisite Corpse is a collaborative game that requires two or more people to contribute to a single composition.
Sequential contributions: Each participant adds to the composition in sequence, building upon the previous person's contribution without seeing the entirety of it.
Concealment: To maintain the element of surprise and unpredictability, each participant's contribution is hidden from the next person, usually by folding the paper or using a similar method.
Revealing the final piece: Once all participants have contributed, the final composition is revealed, showcasing a unique and unexpected combination of ideas and styles.

These general rules can be adapted to various mediums, such as drawing, writing, photography, music, and film, allowing for a versatile and engaging creative experience.

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