Michel Gondry: Surrealist
76In the early 1920’s a movement revolutionized the art and literature world. This monumental change was titled Surrealism. Headed by Andre’ Breton, Surrealism grew out of symbolism and Dada. Heavily inspired by Sigmund Freud, Surrealism focuses on creativity, freedom, and automatism. Surrealism is still heavily used today in art, music, film and even politics. Academy Award winner, Michel Gondry, uses many surreal elements in his work. Known for his visual style, Gondry has produced some of the most eye pleasing, entertaining, and truly genius music videos of all time. Listed below are a few of my favorite Gondry masterpieces and the surreal elements they possess.
The White Stripes – Fell in Love With a Girl
One of the building blocks (no pun intended) of Surrealism is creativity, and this video is full of it. The most creative idea used in this video was to shoot the entire piece using Lego blocks. The Lego pieces illustrated so many things. From the artists themselves, to the instruments, all were made out of these specific colored blocks. Continually assembling and dissembling the Lego pieces made this video possible. The use of these block pieces is absolutely amazing. Surrealism also focuses on breaking out of the boundaries. Nearly every music video stars real human beings, however this whole video stars a children’s toy. The video uses a very distinct color combination and constantly changes images and scenes. This sporadic technique is very surreal. This video is absolutely groundbreaking and by far, one of my favorite music videos!
The White Stripes – The Hardest Button to Button
This is one of many videos directed by Gondry for the White Stripes. Their videos are always inventive and this one is no exception. The biggest surreal element in this video is how patchy and random the clips are. There is a constant appearance of drum sets, amplifiers and band mates throughout the video. The main reason for this is because the video was shot in a stop motion style, clip-by-clip, frame-by-frame. Another component used was The White Stripes playing in discreet locations all over the city. In a “normal” city, this would not be allowed, however surrealism can be anti-organized, which allows The White Stripes to rock all over town, in places that would normally be deemed against the law. The video also contained a constant changing of scenes and color. The band played in the subway (blue color), in the park (green color), and under the cloudy sky (grey color). These changes allow the video to remain random and not be stuck in one initial setting. Every White Stripes video is very eccentric but they are all very intriguing and worth checking out.
Daft Punk - Around the World
Surrealism allows confusion and disorder to make sense, and this video clearly illustrates that. From the song itself, to the lighting, the colors, the costumes and the choreography, all are absolute mayhem. Beginning with the song, it is very eerie sounding and heavily bass loaded. The song is definitely not easy listening, however surrealism allows the unusual to make sense and have belonging. It also takes the multiple mismatching beats and sounds, and makes them very melodic. As for the visuals in the video, this lighting illustrates surrealism perfectly. The backdrop is an ever-changing light show, reminding me of a Hollywood portrayed acid trip. The costumes in the music video are completely ridiculous. From astronauts to mummies to skeletons, all have specific, very humorous choreographed dance moves. With surrealism, beauty is found in things that don’t make sense and that are misplaced. This video illustrates that point perfectly. With a wide array of colors and characters this video is eye candy, and I recommend giving Daft Punk a listen as well.
Kanye West - Heard ‘Em Say Originally shot with animation, this highly anticipated video did not do so well on MTV or VH1. Kanye West decided to shoot a second version of the video and have it shot by none other than Academy Award winning Michel Gondry. While most rap videos portray a life of riches and alcohol, Gondry decided to do the complete opposite and show the life of the homeless. With this, Gondry is breaking out of that cliché and on to something different and refreshing. The next element dealt with the fantasy/ dream sequence. Surrealism condemns items for being to rationale and tends to strive for truer reality. This is what the dream sequence showed. Not everything has to make perfect sense. This is why the bed could move on it’s own, and how the children were allowed to do what they wanted with no supervision. An item of surrealism that occurred in the video was the stop motion filmed sequences. These scenes showed grand pianos falling down escalators and toy racecars speeding throughout the mall. This randomness added to the surrealism that is everywhere in this video. As a huge fan of Kanye West (and his political rants), I highly suggest checking out this video!
The Chemical Brothers – Star Guitar This music video is UNBELIEVABLE!!! This video possessed so many elements, yet it seemed so simple. These various intricacies are what show its surrealism. The story is not told through words or through people, but strictly through the view of a train window. I have never seen a video like this, which shows that Gondry wanted something different. Also, Gondry matches the sounds and beats to the images in the video PERFECTLY and yet does it so smoothly. One major element of surrealism is the automatism. This video is constantly changing images. Even though the direction of the view is the same, the images are changing. Overall, this video is not only INCREDIBLE, but one of Gondry’s finest works. Along with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, this piece could arguably be one of the greatest music videos ever created.
Michel Gondry is an outrageously talented and intelligent individual. From his work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to his genius music videos, Gondry is one of the most creative directors of our time. His countless usages of surrealism only add to his obvious talent. Michel Gondry is the sur_REAL DEAL.
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I like to think of Gondry in a tuxedo t-shirt. It says I'm formal, but I'm also here to party.
That or as a muscular trapeze artisit.
Sick hub, I need one for sure.
jamestedmondson 4 years ago
Man, well put, this IS the sur_real deal. These videos are entertaining, intriguing, and massively original.
I beleive Gondry to be the Dali of music videos, and the Jesus Crist of human beings; and Jesus WAS a human being.