Dadaism Video Notes - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, artists, works, and concepts from the Dadaism lecture notes.

Dada (Dadaism)

Anti-art movement that began around 1916 during World War I, developing in Europe and the United States. The word Dada is nonsensical and was chosen at random from a dictionary; it carries varying meanings across languages and does not define the movement's ideology.

L.H.O.O.Q.

Marcel Duchamp's 1919 readymade work; a Mona Lisa postcard altered as part of Dada, challenging traditional art concepts.

Readymade

Ordinary found objects designated as art by the artist, elevating the object to art through the artist's designation (e.g., Duchamp's readymades).

Photomontage

Dada technique involving the collage-like combination of photographs or reproduced images to create new meanings.

Fountain

Duchamp's 1917 readymade urinal signed 'R. Mutt,' submitted to the Society of Independent Artists; rejected, leading to Duchamp's resignation from the board.

R. Mutt

Pseudonym Duchamp used on Fountain; signature on the urinal readymade.

Marcel Duchamp

French painter, sculptor, chess player, and writer (1887–1968) associated with Cubism, Dada, and conceptual art.

Raoul Hausmann

Austrian artist and writer (1886–1971), a key Dada figure who created works such as The Art Critic.

The Art Critic

Dadaist work by Raoul Hausmann (1919–1920) featuring a distorted figure based on George Grosz and a large pencil weapon, critiquing conventional art critics.

George Grosz

Fellow Dada artist depicted in The Art Critic as a distorted figure; his image represents challenging and rebuking conventional art discourse.

Man Ray

American visual artist who spent much of his career in Paris; created Rayographs (photograms) in 1922 and The Kiss (1922), contributing to Dada and modern art.

Rayograph

Photogram created without a camera, a technique used by Man Ray to challenge conventional art forms.

The Kiss (1922)

A Man Ray photograph/photogram that explores intimacy and the absurdity of human relationships within Dada aesthetics.

Collage

Dada technique of pasting clipped or reproduced images to create a new composition, often challenging traditional notions of art.

Dadaist Beliefs about Art

Art can be made from anything; the idea behind the art is more important than the artwork itself; readymades and photomontage embody this philosophy and spurred experimental forms.

Influence on Later Movements

Dada inspired and influenced later movements such as Surrealism and Pop Art, shaping modern and contemporary art directions.