ART TRANSLATED INTO POETRY: THE SURREALIST EKPHRASIS

This paper aims at introducing an alternative version of the ekphrasis, i.e. the surrealist ekphrasis. The latter differs from the traditional ekphrasis in virtue of its peculiar implementation process which, in addition to the conscious, involves the unconscious too. This study specifically takes into account poetry inspired by paintings, therefore art translated into poetry through a surrealist procedure which, as such, seeks to avoid the contribution of rationality, keeping the conscious aloof. This conscious detachment is facilitated by dint of the Jungian concept of “collective unconscious” which allows the two unconscious to merge, setting up a stronger connection between them. Moreover, on the basis of this strong unconscious connection, the surrealist ekphrasis turns out to be a sophisticated tool of inner knowledge as well.