This article by Pellegrini analyzes Surrealism by taking into account some of the daily life changes at the beginning of the twentieth century: the standardization and dehumanizing brought about by capitalist industrialization, as well as the scientific transformations which generated not only the crisis of the classical concept of reality but also the relevance of irrational thought. Regarding art, the critic begins his search with German Romanticism, continuing with the primary role of instinct as opposed to reason fashioned by Dadá, ending with the conclusion that the spirit cannot adopt a negative attitude as definitive. Consequently, Pellegrini considers that after the Dadaism between 1916 and 1929, there was a search for a positive action on the sociopolitical level as well as in the many directions of art. Within these, many Abstract artists were linked to Dadaism, even if the meeting point for Dadá had been Surrealism.

Aldo Pellegrini (1903–1973) was a poet, playwright, essayist, and art critic with a prominent role in Argentine culture. Linked to the development of Surrealism since its inception, he directed several editorial projects. Pellegrini also supported and expanded the various trends of Abstract art, encouraging groups such as Artistas Modernos de la Argentina [Modern Artists of Argentina] and the Asociación Arte Nuevo [Association of New Art].  Cursos y Conferencias [Courses and Conferences] was a magazine published by the Colegio Libre de Estudios Superiores (CLES) (Free College of Higher Studies), between July 1931 and December 1960. Its 288 issues dealt with different topics (from physics, art, and philosophy, to topics of general interest). Originally, it was a monthly publication, then quarterly, and finally was published every six months. At the moment of the publication of this article it was under the direction of Arturo Frondizi (1908-1995), one of the most prominent politicians of the Partido Radical (Radical Party) during the 1940s, who, from 1958 through 1962, was the elected President of the country. During those years CLES became a kind of meeting point for the most important intellectuals opposed to the Peronist regime.  This document, which corresponds to a conference delivered by Pellegrini at the Colegio Libre de Estudios Superiores on July 4, 1950, was selected because it summarizes his ideas and knowledge regarding Surrealism. This presentation was followed by another on July 11, 1950, at the same location.  Document #745438 may be consulted in this respect.