45 Times People Spotted “Accidental Surrealism” IRL And Just Had To Share (New Pics)
Life is full of coincidences and incidents that are sometimes hard to grasp or explain at first. While some people might be inclined to embrace conspiracy theories in an attempt to make sense of the inexplicable, others may dismiss those confusing events with a chuckle or strive to unravel the mysteries through reasoned explanations.
Allow us to introduce you to one puzzling group on Facebook called “Accidental Surrealism”. As the moderators themselves describe it, it is a place “to share content that we find to be accidentally surreal: found, made or made to be found by accident.” From a 'fire man' seemingly strolling through billowing smoke to a cat perching upon clouds, this group curates a bouquet of whimsical marvels that are found, made, or crafted to be discovered by accident.
Make sure you don't miss out on an exclusive interview with David Bate, an artist, theorist and teacher based in London, UK. With international recognition as a key scholar in the history and theory of photography and experimental visual artworks, David Bate is a distinguished artist working in the field of photography and visual arts. Scroll down to delve into the captivating realm of surrealism!
This post may include affiliate links.
Is It Telling The Ground To Be Quiet?
Or old mother west wind from a children's book I know.
Load More Replies...God is telling the ground to just a little bit longer for the explosive supervolcano, an earthquake off the Richter scale, a tsunami 1,700 ft high (like in Alaska)... I plan on destroying humanity soon; don't you work, buddy.
Yup.....staring at clouds is ALWAYS rewarding...(The Cloud Appreciation Society)
Looks Like Some Studio Ghibli Stuff
for some reason this reminds me of the little dusties from Spirited Away
Is that some kinda monster skeleton on the left or is that just wishful thinking on my part?
Purrfect
I was gonna say there is no way this ain't photoshopped until I realized that the cat is the reflection in the window and it's not the cloud that looks like a cat
People keep saying it is the cat reflected. I would disagree. Everything that you see outside is the reflection. This picture was taken from the outside. You can see the curtains and the drop shade on the other side of the window. The cat is most likely on a couch / table or such so that it lifted up in the image. You can see that its feet are cut off by the furniture.
David Bate is currently a Professor of Photography at the University of Westminster, London, UK. His notable work, "Photography and Surrealism: Sexuality, Colonialism, and Social Dissent," along with dozens of other books, journals, and magazine publications, demonstrates his deep understanding of the intersection between surrealism, art, and society. When asked about the relevance of surrealism in today's art and culture, Bate emphasizes its enduring significance. “Surrealism is relevant today even more so now because so many more people everywhere have access to a camera, not just photographic specialists. In a way, surrealists liberated the idea of photography as a fantasy, as an instrument for the imagination, but using the material of reality to present it. Basically, they thought expressing our own desire should be involved in making pictures, so that we can see what we want to see in our dreams, not to portray ‘reality’.”
I Hope No Kids Can See That Out Their Bedroom Window
I'm pretty sure that curtains, won't hold a monster at that size, away.
Load More Replies...Or no adults! That would 100% send my brain into imagination overdrive if I saw that just before bed! Like the BFG.2 the scary version!
"It's just some vines on a lamppost" he said. And then it turned its head to look at him.
You can tell if it's Kudzu - if so, it will grow towards you faster than you can run away.
Load More Replies...aw guys, I'm sorry. I accidentally let my sleep paralysis demon out. my bad.
Vietnamese Woman Repairing A Fishing Net. Photo By Danny Yen Sin Wong
That's talent to make something so ordinary as fishing nets look so beautiful
Pretty sure this won or placed in an international photography competition
Party pooper here. The photo is beautiful BUT imagine all that plastic (probably nylon) for one net. Fishing gear accounts for approximately 70% of plastics more than 20cm in size that float on the surface, and 86% of plastic waste on the seafloor. Hoopla about plastic bottles is a bit of red herring.
1 year later and it has been lost and abandoned only to kill countless fish and marine mammals who become entangled. Then end up in the giant Pacific Garbage Patch where it’ll take millennia for it to break down and become micro plastic.
Accidental Surrealism
Yeah, I wanna hide my dog in it so I can take her to school
Load More Replies...A spectacular afro setup. I can't understand why this lavish beauty of hair ( in the 70s-80s) suddenly became " racial stereotype" or " not business-like." Edit: the person in photo obviously thinks in stereotypes.
Check out your nearest college campus and you'll see that the fro is coming back!
Load More Replies...As our article delves into the captivating realm of "accidentally surreal" images, it's interesting to understand the elements that contribute to a photograph being considered surrealist. According to Bate, usually, a surrealist image is or presents a “logical contradiction”, where one thing also looks like another, but it can’t be that. “The images are often like a visual pun. So it creates confusion about what we see, one image suggests another reality we had not imagined, but can now ‘see’ confused within another idea. Sometimes the resulting image can be disturbing, a bit like a strange dream or nightmare.”
Interestingly, Bate notes that the surrealists themselves coined the term “automatic” surrealism to refer to images that appeared by themselves, much like the “accidentally surreal” images shared in this article. These images evoke a new way of seeing and imagining the world, much like the surrealists' own artistic vision.
When it comes to key surrealist photographers, Bate identifies artists such as Man Ray, Lee Miller, Brassai, Claude Cahun, and Eli Lotar.
Catdog's Slightly Less Entertaining Spin Off Show, Dog Dog
that is way more entertaining. Just imagine the little one every time the big one gets excited lol
The yorkie: please don’t give him any treats, or talk to him. I’m still getting over my last concussion.
Load More Replies...The Tiniest Moo
Mini-moo! I love big moos, too! I mean, moos, have best friends (for real)! And they love cuddles!
It's the only quote from Father Ted I know.
Load More Replies...Fire Happened In My Town, Notice The "Fire Man" In The Smoke?
It looks like an actual Firefighter because of the helmet brim. Very ironic indeed.
hee hee....spin, crotch grab, heels up on tippy-toes, hip bump x2, awoooooooo! Hat tip.
The evolution of photographic technology and techniques has undeniably provided photographers with new tools and possibilities to create surrealist images that challenge our perception of reality. Bate shared that early photographers sometimes worked in the darkroom to mix original prints with paint or other techniques. “Today we can use Photoshop or an application on a phone to draw or paint on an image, to mix them and make something surreal.”
Smile
no more fuel for my nightmares thanks...enough here
Load More Replies...It's not very far, just move your little rump. You can make it if you try, with a hop, skip, and a jump.
Load More Replies...These canyons are known to be extremely old and create such beautiful colors due to the layers of sediment building up over time and how the formation was made in the picture was due to an earthquake/
Peg-Ursus
Absolutely perfect title! For reference: Ursus is Latin for bear and bears are taxonomically classified as family ursidae.
In conclusion, Bate summarizes the vast influence of surrealism across various domains of culture. He notes, “Surrealism has been incredibly influential on almost every sphere of culture, from cinema to fashion, anthropology and psychology, and from food to theatre, music and all forms of art.”
You can explore further insights from David Bate and delve into his body of work and artistic endeavors on his website, as well as on Instagram!
For more captivating “Accidental Surrealism” pictures, you can check out our previous articles here and here!
Mom, It's Not A Phase
Rice Field In Indonesia
It was like one of those old magic eye pictures - I just couldn't see it, then suddenly it came into focus!
Load More Replies...If you focus on the tiny person standing to the right of the middle the perspective suddenly snaps into place and it's less inception-esque lol
I keep working this out, then my hindbrain disagrees and flips it back round
My Fiance Was Watching A Documentary And Our Cat Decided To Come Into The View
My cats have shown a predilection for the nature shows on BBCAmerica and Fox News.
Bouche will watch Pet Collective, which is mostly videos sent in by viewers, but without the $10,000.
Load More Replies...Our cat does the same when it’s late and wants us to know it’s bed time 😅
This Photo Is Real And Was Not Edited. The Stone Is Real, The Trees Are Real, The Soil Is Real And The Sky Is Real. The Only Thing You Have To Do Is Change Your Point Of View. Look At The Photo, Upside Down!
Upside down, it looks normal. But right now, it has pretty bad graphics
The Terminator Found Enlightenment
Oh God It's Right Behind Me, Isn't It?
All hail O̷̫͖̹̳̗̫͑̃̓̑̕c̸̡͈̻͉̀͌̐̋̚t̸̙̬̩͎͕̊̊͊͘̚o̶̮̤͉̟̭̩͋͐c̷͉̤͈̤̮̈̈͗̈́͝͝a̵̘̗̝̞̿͑͒̿̉ť̶̺̹̘̋̂̌̌̓
Cloud Above Turkey
Nope that is the Dragon portal in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Biblically Accurate Doggo
Reminds me of when the dogs start to mutate in the film The Thing , the John Carpenter version.
One of those movies that stays excellent despite its age.
Load More Replies...two dogs! it's two dogs. ah. top body is connected to the bottom head. sheesh.
The beast with two backs replaced by....um...er....Two....I dunno, I give up
UFO Abduction On The Piste
You're on a slippery slope with that sort of humour!
Load More Replies...I'd be piste if I was abducted by UFOs while skiing. It's an expensive sport to have interrupted like this.
Is That A Carrot Phalanx?
pov that one time Sparta ran outta spears and chose the second best alternative
Thanks, now I'm picturing a Bugs Bunny version of 300. "THIS...IS...NOT ALBUQUERQUE!!!"
Load More Replies...Wow. That's a LOT of carrots! How long does it take to get them all laid in there like that?
Paradise Flying Snake
This is what they normally look like. They can flatten their bodies and glide for a short distance, but can't actually fly. They average between two and three feet and are mildly venomous but not dangerous to humans. chrysopeli...e1f2fe.jpg
Accidental Surrealism
A Snake Being Swallowed By A Frog
Maybe some kind of new parasite. The snake stays in that position and eats everything the frog tries to swallow.
Somebody Didn’t Read The Assembly Instructions Right
See, I keep telling the industry you can't do instructions like that! You can't write them in Japanese, then have someone who only speaks Greek to translate it into Russian, and then have THAT version translated into English, Spanish, and French by someone who speaks none of these languages! Pictures, people. And can we please do something about needing a microscope to read instructions, these days?!
I don't think they ever read them right for camels.... they're like dealer's choice with all the leftover parts...
That's It! I'm Outta Here And I'm Taking My Damn Carpet With Me!
More like look at the lack of roots. And the crappy dirt below the soil brought back in for the grass.
Load More Replies...I’d turn it into a giant gnome home. Or a troll cave. It’d be the hit if the neighborhood.
After Hurricane Ida, A tree went down in my neighborhood, took the lawn and a range rover with it. Was insance
I Live In A Weird Country I Tell You
Is This A Building's Wall Or A Cloudy Sky?
First Post
I only saw the rabbit . . . until I saw your post . . .
Load More Replies...a chipmunk with an acorn in its mouth with another one in its hands??
Oldie But Goodie
I caught my nephew levitating on the beach too! Must be magic sand. :) run-643ef4...34c63b.jpg
and a couple of guys are holding a boat up on a couple of sticks in the background.
Ohhh if u really overthink it ig I see it
Load More Replies...Static Sky! Simulation Error (Sterling Migration)
Sterling migration? So it's like... flying spoons? EDIT: PS - I'm just poking fun, not calling OP dumb. I have made typos in a post and then not been able to edit them when I spotted them.
I once saw a flock of starlings fly by. It wasn’t as wide as this, more like a long broad ribbon gliding overhead. When I discovered it, it had already been passing for a while. I was inside a house by a big lake and had a good view, and the flock of starlings could be seen stretched from horizon to horizon. Between 10 to 20 birds passed by every second, and from the moment I started watching it went on for 20 more minutes. I’ll never forget it.
Looks more like a starling murmuration just about ready to begin its acrobatic displays.
Accidental Surrealism
To Pass, You Must Answer Three Questions From The Knowledge Tree
WHAT!.... is your name?..... WHAT!... is your quest?... WHAT! ... is the angle of peripheral vision of a tree with Marty Feldman eyes?
VB. I seek the Holy Grail. What, I don't knowwwwaaaarrrrgh.
Load More Replies...I knew they're real. I knew it!
Load More Replies...I googled. I think I understand why. :) http://t1.gstatic.com/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcTd3g-egfsraHwv1m2E39g6x8ZD3Ptu03jYnwMu7DD-RppdygoVv3T4Htx2RPKJwIWJ3J3I3PlG1NneD9A
Load More Replies...Ok the guy with the username David thank you nobody has heard of Monty Python and the Holy Grail anymore thank you
YW. I really like whacky humor. Monty Python, Mel Brooks, Robot Chicken, Mr. Bean, Red Dwarf. Even Benny Hill was actually very creative. It saddens me there is a lot less of that 'flavor' being made these days. So much now is forced jokes or adults saying things an 8 year old might think is funny.
Load More Replies...If it’s called Knowledge Tree, shouldn’t I make the questions?
Accidental Surrealism
idk why you wanted an apple in front of his face but here it is i guess 2023_04_18...ec5cf8.png
Makes me uncomfortable with someone who has a camera phobia
Load More Replies...Accidental Surrealism
Better one? Or better two? Better one…? Or two …?
Load More Replies...So, when on the motorway, are there cats really lying underneath those little reflector light things?
Ctrl+e
This isn’t the droid you’re looking for. Move along.
Load More Replies...Biblically Accurate Deer
Kneel Down!
HaaaaaAaahAHH! I needed all those "H"s and "A"s because that was ducking hilarious (I think we both know I did not mean ducking)
Load More Replies...Sheesh! It's hard enough to get your kids to go to church, and this is NOT helping!
Is This Like Finding Jesus On Your Toast?
i was reminiscing about harambec earlier today!!! r.i.p.
Load More Replies...Another One From Netflix
Rare Trunkless Tree, Spotted By My Alarmed 11 Year Old. "Mom, How Is That Tree Floating??" #truncated
Kids are dumb. Trees can't float. It just has an invisible trunk. It's a self protection thing to stop dogs from peeing on them.
Why would it be an issue? A dog peeing on the tree surely isn't a bad thing?
Load More Replies...Fellow minecrafters, please refrain from leaving floating trees on this server.
The tree trunk is behind the lamp post and the tree was growing sideways at one point, probably due to the wind or something.
Load More Replies...Trippy. I can not figure it out. The theory that the trunk is behind the light pole does not work; if it had to do with wind the other tree on the left side would have been affected. But clearly the trunks are not painted grey....so there you go.
This One Really Is Accidental And Surreal
Thanks, I was scrolling for some context
Load More Replies...De Akkers metro, 2020 a train crashed thru a barrier and saved the lone driver from serious injury and/or death when a sculpture supported the train
Load More Replies...Accidental Surrealism
When your reindeer go on strike and you gotta go deliver presents
Accidental Surrealism
WiFi Chair
Chair has grown tired of being sat on. Chair has gone into stealth mode
Accidental Surrealism
Look Ma No Hands!
It's on a TV. I'll give you a second to think about this.
Load More Replies...Accidental Surrealism
Lightening strike that was very recent to this photo.... It's barely standing for sure, just balanced enough for the moment!!!
Load More Replies...The Chair Sees All
*clears Throat* "I Really Should Call Her"
I think it’s because the stairs remind him of a vagina?
Load More Replies...My Favorite Emoji Combo
Exactly what i was thinking...now i've got the old world blues...
Load More Replies...My Mri Exposes My Lion Within
Can't Get Much More Accidental Than That
With our vans you can move anything, if it won't fit inside, put it on the roof.
Tower Of St. Moritz Church, Olomouc Czech Republic. Photo Taken By Me
He's All Ears
Accidental Surrealism
That's a 'glory' which is an amazing natural phenomenon! From wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_(optical_phenomenon
Accidental Surrealism
Took This A Few Years Ago
The iron giants head waiting for the rest of his body parts to show up
I Kinda Feel Like My Fence Is Showing A Doggo In Stages After Being Stung By A Bee
Stage 1: Regular Doggo------------- Stage 2: Realisation of Bee Sting Swelling-------------- Stage 3: Loss of control and hope------------- Stage 4: Complete disintegration.-------------
So That's The Infamous Wolf Spider
Enjoying The Florida Folk Festival Last Spring With My Son But It Seems As Though The Music Merged Us Again, For Just A Moment Idk
How My Phone Be Acting Up Everytime I Take Psychedelics
Hand Sized Man, Or Man Sized Hand?
If Funtime Freddy and Bon-Bon were human. (Edit/P.S.= The girl in the backround is missing her arms..)
Well Then What Are They?
That's not the front door that's the back door, the front door is round the side and the back door is round the front.
They are „A jar!“ .....I kill myself from time to time....!🤣
Sprite // J Coleman Miller 2008 Accidental Composition, Moving Water, White Koi And Digital Photography. #jcolemanmiller
A Tumbleweed Factory
Accidental Surrealism
Accidental Surrealism
Coffee Drop, A Little Too Hyper From The Caffeïne
I Don't Know What These Are But I Feel The Same Way
Accidental Surrealism
Accidental Surrealism
John Key, The Former New Zealand Prime Minister With Some Women With A Ponytail Standing Behind Him
Clouds
Some Top Quality A5 Wagyu Beef Cuts
Don't know why people downvoted you, you're entitled to your opinion.
Load More Replies...If You Look Closely Inside The Ice Cubes In Your Drink, You’ll Find A Very Interesting Surreal Tiny World Inside!
These are just stacked macro photos I take of regular ice cubes either in Coke or a Vodka/grape juice cocktail.
Accidental Surrealism
This is clearly a mechanized unit from the... town of Bedrock. It's a tank right out of history.
Well, that's one way to camouflage a tank that I never would have imagined!
I Feel Judged!
You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
Load More Replies...It’s 3am And You Have To S**t And You See This Staring At You Wyd
Make This Make Sense. Something Feels Really Off About The Guy On The Far Right
Carmen Sandiegos At It Again
Must be a pretty great tree to justify the expense of a helicopter!
Germany, 2023
Artificial snow, people are on a ski-lift getting pulled uphill, where they will ski downhill on an a big wider band of artificial snow. In many regions once famous for holidays in the snow, the temparatures are way too high. The businesses there have no plan B yet, so use their drinking water to produce at least some snow, so people will come and spend money
I once saw it rain on only half of an intersection but what are the odds of a snow cloud like that? /s
it's the part everyone has been skiing across time after time, so the snow gets really compressed, often into ice. It makes it so it takes longer to melt.
Load More Replies...One Of My Coworkers Asked Why There Was Something Smiling At Her In The Dark. It's An Apron With Straws Poking Out
Walruses?
Glitch In The Matrix
Why Is The Top So Lonely?
At least wreck it Ralf has something else besides his brick to sleep on.
Accidental Surrealism
This isn’t accidental. Someone purposely made a food possum
Netflix: Are You Still Watching? Someone's Daughter:
reasonable lets make it more....innocent. uhh banana hotdog or popsicle...?
Load More Replies...Don't forget to breathe through your nose, ashton
Load More Replies...I took a photo of clouds looking like a bird over Turkey in 2012 or 13. Wish I could send you it
you can, just post it here by clicking on the photo icon ->
Load More Replies...I took a photo of clouds looking like a bird over Turkey in 2012 or 13. Wish I could send you it
you can, just post it here by clicking on the photo icon ->
Load More Replies...
