I just read a great article in The Guardian on the films of Salvador Dali written by JG Ballard. He has some interesting things to say about surrealism, its initial dismissal and current acceptance:

Suddenly, surrealism is everywhere, in those citadels of respectability such as the Tate, the V&A and the Hayward Gallery. Put on a surrealism show and the crowds flock, quietly absorbing these strange and irrational images. It’s as if people realise that reason and rationality no longer provide an adequate explanation for the world we live in. The lights may still be on, but a new Dark Age is drawing us towards its shadows, and we turn to the surrealists as our best guides to the underworld.

I like the idea of art as an instruction manual on how to live in the future. Great article with lots to think about.

I also thought I would also give a few Dali quotes on creativity not from this article:

When the creations of a genius collide with the mind of a layman, and produce an empty sound, there is little doubt as to which is at fault.

You have to systematically create confusion, it sets creativity free. Everything that is contradictory creates life.

One day it will have to be officially admitted that what we have christened reality is an even greater illusion than the world of dreams.

You know the worst thing is freedom. Freedom of any kind is the worst for creativity.