ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book considers the 'occultation of Surrealism' not as a concisely described, singular event, but rather as a gradual, dynamic process – one that would reach its apex in the politically contentious climate of the post-war period, but whose origins had ultimately predated the birth of Surrealism as a coherently organised avant-garde movement, such as it was announced with the publication of Breton's Manifeste du surréalisme in October 1924. It extends the positive assessment of the surrealist engagement with the occult, as it aims to counter the often hostile reaction, which this aspect of the movement had provoked from many of its contemporary critics. The book brings together contributions on both iconic artists and writers and lesser known players in the intellectual and artistic orbit of the movement, all of whom drew on occultism and magic for their very own, avant-gardist ends'.
