Modernism (Dada) (1916 - 1924)

Switzerland

Origin of this movement

Background History

Disillusioned society after WWI

Technology used to destroy human life.

Dada rose as counter culture, and it became a movement despite being abandoned by its creators

Hugo Ball

created Karawane - a poem following nonsense

Key Characteristics

1. Used random methods for inspiration (Stabbing dictionary)

2. Discarding of conventional legibility

3. Believed art should reflect society’s madness

4. Sound poetry and chaotic theater meant to shock audiences

5. Used photomontage and collage as social commentary

6. Rejection of all establishments and reason. Embrace of irrationality and nothingness

7. Destruction of traditional artistic barriers

John Heartfield

actual name: Hermet Herzfeld. Changed his name out of protest and criticized Germany’s treatment of England. Used photomontage to make a change in Germany

Hnnah Hoch

only woman in the group. Used photomontage by cutting and reassembling from magazine and newspaper photos to cirtique political injustice, mass marketed media, and gender roles.

George Grosz

Berlin Dadaist. Painter who realized his work in a cartoon fashion can help. Challenges conventions of perspective and realism while calling out societal injustice and corrupt positions of power

Marcel Duchamp

American leader in Dada. Challenged art and idea of gallery and “readymades” or pre-manufactured every day items and platforming them as art

Ma Ray

key figure later in the movement. Pused American Avant Garde photography forward, throguh rayographs. Doesn’t require camera (only physical force)

Francis Picabia

New York Dadaist. behind 391 but also interested in exploring human behavior through satirical, machine-like drawings.

Kurt Schwitters

In Hanover, Scwitters launches himself as a one-man operation on the edge of Dada by creating Merz. Used a similar style to photomontage in his publications