FB S5.2 Dreamscapes And Beyond PROGRAM

Dreamscapes and Beyond: A Metaphysical and Surrealist Art Unit

Explore the power of the subconscious, symbolism, and alternate realities through photography, digital media, and art theory.

This Stage 5 Visual Arts unit of work, Dreamscapes and Beyond, invites students into the imaginative and symbolic realms of Metaphysical Art and Surrealism, focusing on key artists René Magritte and contemporary surrealist Xidong Luo. Students engage in creating surrealist photographic scenes and digital artworks both with and without a camera, exploring the boundaries of perception, reality, and dream.

Aligned with the NSW Stage 5 Visual Arts syllabus, this 10-week unit (with optional 11th week extension tasks) provides students with opportunities to investigate the subconscious mind, explore dream imagery, and experiment with creative practices that challenge conventional logic. The unit culminates in an in-class written examination, comparing the practices and concepts of Impressionist and Surrealist artists and artworks.

What’s Included

• Lesson Outlines: Compliant program that includes learning intentions, success criteria, discussion prompts, The Gradual Release of Responsibility Model, differentiation and assessment strategies.

• Digital Resources: Links to educational videos tutorials, artist websites and pre-made quizizz.

Key Features for Teachers

Aligned with the NSW Syllabus:
Addresses Stage 5 outcomes, with clear learning intentions and success criteria, linking to both practice and conceptual understanding in the artworld.

Step-by-Step Guidance:
Includes structured lesson outlines introducing Metaphysical Art and Surrealism, analysing key artists, and supporting students through surrealist photo shoots and digital manipulations. Follows the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model.

Cross-Curricular Opportunities:
Connects with:

• English: Analytical and creative writing tasks, persuasive and reflective writing, and a class debate activity.

• History: Exploration of World War I as a contextual influence on surrealism.

Technology Integration:
Students utilise photography, photo editing, and AI or collage-based digital tools to construct surreal landscapes and narrative imagery. These artworks explore perception, identity, and subconscious storytelling.

Incorporating Aboriginal Pedagogy

• Story Sharing: Students visually and verbally share dream-inspired narratives, connecting internal reflections with artistic expression.

• Deconstruct and Reconstruct: Encourages students to question reality, break down symbolic imagery, and reconstruct meaning in new, surreal forms.

• Learning Maps: Students document their conceptual and creative journey, tracking their development of ideas and techniques.

• Non-verbal Learning: Visual literacy is central, with students expressing complex emotional and philosophical ideas through image-based storytelling.

Why Choose This Unit?

Engaging and Thought-Provoking:
Students delve into the strange, symbolic, and surreal, stretching their creative thinking and visual literacy in ways that challenge and inspire.

Holistic Learning Experience:
Combines psychological theory, historical context, digital technology, and imaginative storytelling, developing students’ understanding across multiple domains.

Contemporary Relevance:
Encourages students to explore identity, truth, and reality through the lens of visual art, echoing current artistic, philosophical, and media-based conversations.

Skill Development:
Supports the development of critical thinking, digital competency, visual storytelling, and reflective writing—skills that are transferable beyond the art classroom.

By choosing Dreamscapes and Beyond, you are empowering your students to explore the surreal and symbolic, engage deeply with both historical and contemporary contexts, and develop the confidence to express complex ideas through photography and digital art in a meaningful and relevant way.