What is one primary characteristic of Surrealist art?

Surrealist art is primarily characterized by its exploration of emotional turmoil and psychological themes. This movement emerged in the early 20th century and sought to challenge the constraints of rationality and conventional representation. Surrealists aimed to tap into the unconscious mind, often drawing inspiration from dreams and the irrational aspects of life. By doing so, they illustrated the complexities of human experience and the depths of the psyche, making emotional and psychological undercurrents a central focus of their work.

In contrast, the other options reflect different artistic principles. The rational visual representation of everyday life aligns more closely with Realism, which strives to depict subjects as they appear in reality without idealization. Geometric abstraction and symmetry pertain to movements like Cubism or various modernist styles, which emphasize form and structure rather than psychological depth. Finally, strict adherence to realism is antithetical to the Surrealist agenda, which thrives on breaking away from realistic portrayals to explore bizarre and fantastical elements of imagination and subconscious thought.