Final answer:
The irony in the "planes" Gabe saw in Ernst's artwork lies in the expected appearance of actual airplanes versus the unexpected surreal combination of airplane parts with organic elements and Ernst's personal connection to bird imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The irony about the "planes" Gabe saw lies in the contrast between the viewer's expectations and the reality depicted within the art piece Jardin Gobe Avions (5.12.1) by Max Ernst. In the most literal sense, someone might expect to see actual airplanes, but Ernst instead presents a surreal blend of natural and mechanical elements. His portrayal includes airplane parts integrated with organic forms, like the shrimp flower or seahorse flower, along with geometric shapes that evoke planes one might find as parts of walls or benches. This play on words between 'plane' as a flat surface and 'plane' as an aircraft creates an ironic twist. Adding another layer of complexity, Ernst had a personal fascination with birds and incorporated them as symbols in his work after dreaming that when his pet bird died, his sister was born, further contrasting the mechanical implications of the title with his deeply personal and organic inspirations.