In 1924 Andre Breton began automatic writing and in 1961 Maurice Merleau Ponty wrote the surrealist manifesto highlighting the act of drawing and writing as a liberating graphic mark making which was considered to put the artist in touch with his unconscious.
I am very inspired by Cy Twombly who was influenced by Breton and Merleau Ponty.
Nicola Del Roscio argues that Twombly creates a direct link between his hand and his nervous system. She states that it should not only be compared to the automatic drawing of the surrealists but also to the poetic theory of ‘projective verse’ defined by Charles Olson, whereby the heart is connected to the line by the breath.
Del Roscio, N (2002) Writings on Cy Twombly. Munich: Schirmer-Mosel.
Harold Szeeman suggests that Twombly’s markings are “eruptions of raw psychic energy” (Szeeman 1987:9).
Szeemann, H. (ed) (1987) Cy Twombly: Paintings, Works on Paper, Sculpture. Munich: Prestel-Verlag.
In observing the works of Cy Twombly it is therefore important to refer to psychoanalysis.
Newton suggests that psychoanalysis sees the primitive and archaic level of the psyche as always latent, waiting to manifest itself, this requires at least the temporary overthrow of the rational grip of consciousness. He states that the very act of creativity itself involves the primitivist impulse, the desire to integrate the raw unacknowledged contents of the artists psyche.
Newton, S, J. (1996) The Politics and Psychoanalysis of Primitivism. London: Ziggurat Books.
