Characteristics Quote by Rosalind E. Krauss
“To convulse reality from within, to demonstrate it as fractured spacing, became the collective result of all that vast range of techniques to which surrealist photographers resorted and which they understood as producing the characteristics of the sign.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Surrealist Photography” in *The Moment of Cubist Painting*, 1977
Surrealist photographers used fragmented visual language to reveal hidden structures of reality, treating images as signs that expose underlying fractures.
In simple terms: Photographers broke reality into pieces to show hidden patterns.
Key Takeaway
Embrace visual fragmentation to uncover deeper truths.
Themes
surrealism
visual art
sign theory
perception
interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- gallery curation
- creative workshops
- visual analysis
Key Concepts
semiotics
fracture
signifier
signified
visual metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fragmentation alter your perception of reality?
- What signs do you notice in everyday images?
A Different Perspective
The approach may obscure clarity for viewers unfamiliar with semiotic concepts.
![“Alix [MacKenzie], on the other hand, found that her painting would translate much more readily into decoration, and she could play with the spacing and the intensity of imagery on the form in a way which I could not. So that when we established our pottery, I was most unhappy with my decoration.” quote by Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/150/warren-mackenzie-4654_decoration_alix-mackenzie-on-the-other-hand-found-t_1028664.jpg)
![“I think [Otto Porter Junior] just took a couple tough shots so far - a couple tough jump shots - but I think he has a great mid-range game, he's very tall and can create his shot. So, I think with more spacing he'll get easier shots, I think he'll be fine.” quote by John Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d56/john-wall-9201_couple_i-think-otto-porter-junior-just-took-a-c_805383.jpg)
![“By exposing the multiplicity, the facticity, the repetition and stereotype at the heart of every aesthetic gesture, photography deconstructs the possibility of differentiating between the original and the copy. [Photography calls] into question the whole concept of the uniqueness of the art…” quote by Rosalind E. Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ba/rosalind-e-krauss-42138_aesthetic_by-exposing-the-multiplicity-the-factici_88008.jpg)
