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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!

#1

Is It Telling The Ground To Be Quiet?

Is It Telling The Ground To Be Quiet?

Zeke Le Rossignol Report

#3

Purrfect

Purrfect

Uma Bridges Report

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UnpopularPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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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’.”

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#4

I Hope No Kids Can See That Out Their Bedroom Window

I Hope No Kids Can See That Out Their Bedroom Window

Ryan Kimball Report

#5

Vietnamese Woman Repairing A Fishing Net. Photo By Danny Yen Sin Wong

Vietnamese Woman Repairing A Fishing Net. Photo By Danny Yen Sin Wong

Mike Reeves Report

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Bob Brezniak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's talent to make something so ordinary as fishing nets look so beautiful

Karen Anderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

Twizzle Sticks
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

Ouzodaki
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautifully captured. ❤️ This photo, or its colour, reminds me of the Vietnamese movie “À la verticale de l'été” (Mua he chiêu thang ung) from 2000. As I remember it was a lot of green (colours) in that movie. By the way: I recommend it.

rose@n_a
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's almost like she's sitting in the middle of a green fog

Louisa Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is stunning, my head went to fantasy type of style and then I read it. Beautiful

Earl Grey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Repairing a fishing net? Is this some needle-in-a-haystack mind trick? Nice photo, but NO to the thought of that effort accomplishing anything productive.

dab
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how the heck is she fixing that net while i can't even figure out where it begins and ends... looks more like the beginning over a horror movie!

Amy Burke
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I am vegetarian ... look st the size of that thing

Jared Robinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where is the start, where is the end, is that lady becoming the one with the net?

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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.

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When it comes to key surrealist photographers, Bate identifies artists such as Man Ray, Lee Miller, Brassai, Claude Cahun, and Eli Lotar.

#7

Catdog's Slightly Less Entertaining Spin Off Show, Dog Dog

Catdog's Slightly Less Entertaining Spin Off Show, Dog Dog

Nikki Thompson Report

#8

The Tiniest Moo

The Tiniest Moo

Elise Payne Report

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Gmaddles
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mini-moo! I love big moos, too! I mean, moos, have best friends (for real)! And they love cuddles!

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#9

Fire Happened In My Town, Notice The "Fire Man" In The Smoke?

Fire Happened In My Town, Notice The "Fire Man" In The Smoke?

Nathan Souther Report

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.”

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#12

Peg-Ursus

Peg-Ursus

Christopher James Cunnane Report

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T5n
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely perfect title! For reference: Ursus is Latin for bear and bears are taxonomically classified as family ursidae.

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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!

#15

My Fiance Was Watching A Documentary And Our Cat Decided To Come Into The View

My Fiance Was Watching A Documentary And Our Cat Decided To Come Into The View

Jesu Død Report

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#16

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!

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!

Ex Tee Report

#19

Cloud Above Turkey

Cloud Above Turkey

Rio Christian Report

#20

Biblically Accurate Doggo

Biblically Accurate Doggo

David Ramirez Report

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Fraxinus excelsior
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of when the dogs start to mutate in the film The Thing , the John Carpenter version.

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#21

UFO Abduction On The Piste

UFO Abduction On The Piste

Joe Brady Report

#22

Is That A Carrot Phalanx?

Is That A Carrot Phalanx?

Han Arrggh Report

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#25

A Snake Being Swallowed By A Frog

A Snake Being Swallowed By A Frog

Destiny Kelly Report

#26

Somebody Didn’t Read The Assembly Instructions Right

Somebody Didn’t Read The Assembly Instructions Right

Kevin McGuigan Report

#27

That's It! I'm Outta Here And I'm Taking My Damn Carpet With Me!

That's It! I'm Outta Here And I'm Taking My Damn Carpet With Me!

Hannah James Report

#28

I Live In A Weird Country I Tell You

I Live In A Weird Country I Tell You

Dávid Rezbár Máriássy Report

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#32

Static Sky! Simulation Error (Sterling Migration)

Static Sky! Simulation Error (Sterling Migration)

Nihal Shahriyar Report

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David
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#33

Accidental Surrealism

Accidental Surrealism

Sue Weaver Report

#34

To Pass, You Must Answer Three Questions From The Knowledge Tree

To Pass, You Must Answer Three Questions From The Knowledge Tree

Courtney Archuletta Report

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David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT!.... is your name?..... WHAT!... is your quest?... WHAT! ... is the angle of peripheral vision of a tree with Marty Feldman eyes?

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#35

Accidental Surrealism

Accidental Surrealism

Sue Weaver Report

#36

Accidental Surrealism

Accidental Surrealism

Christopher James Cunnane Report

#37

Ctrl+e

Ctrl+e

Radi Tyo Report

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#43

Rare Trunkless Tree, Spotted By My Alarmed 11 Year Old. "Mom, How Is That Tree Floating??" #truncated

Rare Trunkless Tree, Spotted By My Alarmed 11 Year Old. "Mom, How Is That Tree Floating??" #truncated

Anna Redfield Report

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Birgit M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like "singing in the rain"! Treene Kelly brought a friend.

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#44

This One Really Is Accidental And Surreal

This One Really Is Accidental And Surreal

Tiago Selaibe Report

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#47

WiFi Chair

WiFi Chair

Dávid Fegyver Report

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Trish Ferguson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chair has grown tired of being sat on. Chair has gone into stealth mode

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#52

*clears Throat* "I Really Should Call Her"

*clears Throat* "I Really Should Call Her"

Sergio Flor Report

#55

Can't Get Much More Accidental Than That

Can't Get Much More Accidental Than That

Crystal Yeakley Report

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#56

Tower Of St. Moritz Church, Olomouc Czech Republic. Photo Taken By Me

Tower Of St. Moritz Church, Olomouc Czech Republic. Photo Taken By Me

Kristián Plesník Report

#57

He's All Ears

He's All Ears

Carlos C. Martinez Rivera Report

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A girl
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's all shoulders too. As for the girl, not going to go there on dystopian anatomy.

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#58

Accidental Surrealism

Accidental Surrealism

Casey Boyce Adcock Report

#59

Accidental Surrealism

Accidental Surrealism

Cizia Nunes Report

#61

I Kinda Feel Like My Fence Is Showing A Doggo In Stages After Being Stung By A Bee

I Kinda Feel Like My Fence Is Showing A Doggo In Stages After Being Stung By A Bee

Kel Matthews Report

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#64

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

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

Starr Munro Report

#65

How My Phone Be Acting Up Everytime I Take Psychedelics

How My Phone Be Acting Up Everytime I Take Psychedelics

Deepak Shankaran Report

#66

Hand Sized Man, Or Man Sized Hand?

Hand Sized Man, Or Man Sized Hand?

Sarah Lehr Report

#68

Sprite // J Coleman Miller 2008 Accidental Composition, Moving Water, White Koi And Digital Photography. #jcolemanmiller

Sprite // J Coleman Miller 2008 Accidental Composition, Moving Water, White Koi And Digital Photography. #jcolemanmiller

James Miller Report

#71

Accidental Surrealism

Accidental Surrealism

Harlan Dean Fox Report

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#73

I Don't Know What These Are But I Feel The Same Way

I Don't Know What These Are But I Feel The Same Way

Brooke Freimuth Report

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#76

John Key, The Former New Zealand Prime Minister With Some Women With A Ponytail Standing Behind Him

John Key, The Former New Zealand Prime Minister With Some Women With A Ponytail Standing Behind Him

Adam Gollogly Report

#78

Some Top Quality A5 Wagyu Beef Cuts

Some Top Quality A5 Wagyu Beef Cuts

Liri Ronen Report

#79

If You Look Closely Inside The Ice Cubes In Your Drink, You’ll Find A Very Interesting Surreal Tiny World Inside!

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.

AMG Photography Report

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#80

Accidental Surrealism

Accidental Surrealism

Andrew Blasdell Report

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Pat Head
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is clearly a mechanized unit from the... town of Bedrock. It's a tank right out of history.

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#82

It’s 3am And You Have To S**t And You See This Staring At You Wyd

It’s 3am And You Have To S**t And You See This Staring At You Wyd

Claire EA Report

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Cara
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, if it does scare the poop out of you, at least you’re in the right place.

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#83

Make This Make Sense. Something Feels Really Off About The Guy On The Far Right

Make This Make Sense. Something Feels Really Off About The Guy On The Far Right

John Magee Report

#85

Germany, 2023

Germany, 2023

Below Jurij Report

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Verena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#86

One Of My Coworkers Asked Why There Was Something Smiling At Her In The Dark. It's An Apron With Straws Poking Out

One Of My Coworkers Asked Why There Was Something Smiling At Her In The Dark. It's An Apron With Straws Poking Out

Lexi Jones Report

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#88

Glitch In The Matrix

Glitch In The Matrix

Felix Yves Bartsch Report

#89

Elizabeth Long Neck

Elizabeth Long Neck

Michela Cartot Report

#90

Why Is The Top So Lonely?

Why Is The Top So Lonely?

Alejandro Carnero Report

#92

Netflix: Are You Still Watching? Someone's Daughter:

Netflix: Are You Still Watching? Someone's Daughter:

Sierra Hill Report