By Chris King
Andrew Tolch—known in the art world as Andrew Torch—is a living, breathing, card-carrying Surrealist in regular contact with other declared Surrealists all over the world, writing communiqués and poems, painting and organizing art shows and approaching the world from a decided tilt.
Tolch was born in Red Creek, N.Y. (a village of some 521 souls located between the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario), but raised here in St. Louis, near the Hill. Where did he go to high school? Lutheran South—not a Surrealist for miles.
He earned his bachelor’s in painting and art history from Columbia, then studied for a year in Florence. He returned home and became an antiques appraiser, yet he continued his work and play as a Surrealist.
Tolch is certainly accomplished at his day job—he recently finished writing part of a new antique-toy price guide, is working on an upcoming book about toys made in St. Louis and honchos the St. Louis Antique Toy Show, held twice a year. But reality borders on mere distraction for this active member of the St. Louis Surrealist Group, who is busy dreaming and sketching and painting in preparation for the next International Surrealist Exhibition, to be held in August 2006.
So, what is a surrealist?
The simple answer: a person who understands and, to some degree, follows the principles or ideals set forth by the Surrealist Movement and the Surrealist Manifesto of 1924.
For example?
That Surrealism was not and is not meant to be just another art movement or “-ism” in the long line of art history. Surrealism is a different way of thinking, a different way of living, encompassing revolt, humor and the importance of the subconscious.
How do you follow that principle?
By being open-minded to new ideas and constantly collaborating with other Surrealists around the world. The Internet has provided an opportunity for weekly and sometimes daily communications among the Surrealist groups, which just wasn’t possible a mere 10 years ago. The ability to talk to colleagues in Portland, Paris, Prague and Athens all in one day tends to challenge your views and ways of thinking.
So, do Surrealists have different problems than the rest of us?
We have the same problems as everyone else, but we try to approach them in a different manner, one that includes the use of dreams, dark humor and imagination.
Had any good dreams lately?
Three nights ago I dreamt that my dog turned into a squash-type vegetable, with only his eyes and nose visible.
Are you going to paint—or live—that one?
I have sketched the dream, and I’ll stew over it for about a week or two before I make the final decision to put it into a painting or not. Usually, if the same dream appears again within one week, I take it as a clear sign to paint it.
I hear your group recently published a new Surrealist communiqué.
Yes, our most recent statement was September 22, in regard to the United States’ waging war and this unwinnable concept of “war on terror.” It is like AmerenUE saying, “We have a war on darkness, and one day we will win it.” We have had a recent problem with over-the-top collective statements, full of sardonic metaphors. If taken literally, they tend to raise eyebrows over at Homeland Security.
You make a living selling antiques. Is that a good day job for a Surrealist?
As good as it gets. My primary concern was that I could work for myself so I could have more time for art. We have one Surrealist member that works in a nuclear-power plant—insert your own Homer Simpson joke here.
Visit www.torchart.com to see Tolch’s Surrealist art.
