subrealism

noun3

1. •
   An artistic movement that seeks to explore the basis of perception.

   • The infection of Surrealism (subrealism) in the painter's and sculptor's art naturally found its way into the practice of the most universal of the arts. — 1937
2. •
   An attitude toward life that lacks genuine engagement or meaning.

   • But our creative political vision of 150 years ago had so deteriorated through a century of short-time efficiency and subrealism, that people did not realize how great the moment was. — 1945
3. •
   The artistic exploration of perverse and unpleasant subject matter.

   • But Sade's ethnographic subrealism exceeds Marx's historical analysis, supplementing Marx's theoretical enterprise with a monstrous form of critical literary engagement. — 1999