The Transformation of Objects in the Artworks of René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, and Kambiz Derambakhsh: A Key Technique in Idea Generation
The transformation of objects in the artworks of René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, and Kambiz Derambakhsh is a significant technique in the field of idea generation that allows artists to express complex and abstract concepts in a visually striking and impactful manner.

Image 1: Transformation of Iron into Bread in a work by Derambakhsh (1985): This transformation symbolizes industrialization, the loss of values, and the changing function of objects. Bread, as a symbol of life, nourishment, and tradition, is juxtaposed against iron, representing industry, modernity, and alienation. This shift indicates a transition from a traditional society to an industrial one, and the fundamental changes that accompany this transformation.

Image 2: Transformation of an Apple into a Stone in Magritte's work titled "Souvenir from Travel" (1963): One of the most striking examples of the transformation of objects is displayed in this work. This simple transformation in appearance carries with it complex layers of philosophical and psychological meanings. The apple, in many cultures, symbolizes knowledge, sin, and temptation. Its transformation into stone indicates that what appears to be is not always what it is.

Image 3: The transformation of time in "The Persistence of Memory" (1931), one of the most iconic and influential works of Surrealism by Salvador Dalí: In this work, clocks, instead of functioning as precise timekeeping instruments, are soft and melted, and rest on various objects. This transformation, in addition to creating a visually captivating and surreal image, conveys deep meanings about time, memory, and reality.

Concepts:

Breaking Visual Conventions: By transforming objects, the artist challenges our visual conventions and expectations, forcing us to view the world around us in a new way.
Creating Surprise and Wonder: These unexpected transformations evoke surprise and wonder in the viewer, capturing their attention.
Expressing Abstract Concepts: Many abstract concepts, such as time, space, identity, and existence, are difficult to express directly. The transformation of objects allows artists to convey these concepts visually and in a more understandable way.
Analysis by Masoud Shojaei Tabatabaei
Notes:
Surrealism: A 20th-century art movement that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, as demonstrated in this technique of object transformation.
Symbolism: The artists use objects as symbols to convey deeper meanings and ideas.
Subversion of Reality: By altering the nature of objects, these artists challenge our perception of reality.
Idea Generation: This technique is a powerful tool for generating new and innovative ideas in art and design.

By Massoud Shojai Tabatabai