21 - BRETON, André (1896–1966).

BRETON, André (1896–1966). Autograph manuscript, [January 1953]; ¼ page, in-4. Conclusion of his speech “Where Does Surrealism Stand?” broadcast on Radio-Canada on January 13, 1953. Note: The manuscript contains cross-outs and corrections. “[…] could only be considered surrealist if it reached the total psychophysical field (of which the field of consciousness is but a small part), and I held up the construction of the nest and the bird as a model for it. I spent a great deal of time observing birds on Bonaventure Island, off the coast of Percé; I have never listened to them so intently—or understood them so well—as I did in the Canadian forest. At this current stage of its evolution, I would simply like to say that it is no longer merely in poetry and art that Surrealism aspires to rediscover and re-enact the natural principle that gives them their plumage and their song— that “Tao” of the Chinese which also causes the seasons to turn and the Phoenix to soar—but also that it is on this principle that Surrealism relies to rebalance human conduct and restore to humanity a higher understanding of life.” The complete typescript of the text is attached.