Storia dell'arte #29: Dada

Summary

Dadaism, born in Zurich between 1916 and 1920, emerged as an anti-war, anti-art movement in response to the horrors of World War I. Dadaists rejected traditional artistic standards, embraced absurdity, and sought to shock and entertain audiences with performances and unconventional artwork. The movement’s key figures, like Tristan Tzara and Hugo Ball, defied logic, creating works that were intentionally irrational, including readymades—common objects repurposed as art. Dadaism also engaged in playful manipulations of iconic works, such as Marcel Duchamp’s altered Mona Lisa, questioning the boundaries of art and challenging societal norms with humor and irreverence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dadaism emerged in Zurich between 1916 and 1920, during World War I, as a cultural movement opposing war and traditional artistic norms.
• 😀 The term 'Dada' is intentionally nonsensical, possibly originating from a child's first word or the repetitive sound of a catchy tune.
• 😀 Dadaists rejected logic and reason, embracing absurdity, humor, and irreverence as core elements of their art.
• 😀 The movement was strongly anti-war, in contrast to the Futurists, who initially supported the war as a means of societal rejuvenation.
• 😀 Dadaists did not consider themselves artists but 'anti-artists,' aiming to challenge the concept of art itself through provocative performances and artworks.
• 😀 The Cabaret Voltaire, founded in Zurich by Hugo Ball in 1916, became the center of Dadaist performances, featuring unconventional and shocking shows.
• 😀 Dada performances included unexpected acts like blowing up balloons, smoking cigars, or even shedding tears to provoke reactions from the audience.
• 😀 The concept of 'readymades' introduced by Marcel Duchamp involved turning everyday objects into art by repurposing them, such as a urinal or a bicycle wheel.
• 😀 Dadaism often involved playful reinterpretations of classical art, as seen when Duchamp altered the Mona Lisa, adding mustaches and a witty phrase.
• 😀 Artists like Man Ray and Hans Arp also contributed to Dadaism by reworking photographs and creating abstract art through random processes like dropping pieces of paper.
• 😀 Dadaism emphasized the importance of chance and randomness in art creation, with Arp's 'serendipity' technique showing that even accidental arrangements could hold meaning.

Q & A

What is the origin of Dadaism?

Dadaism is a cultural movement that originated in Zurich, Switzerland, during World War I, between 1916 and 1920. It emerged in Switzerland due to its neutral stance during the war.

What were the main beliefs of the Dadaists?

The Dadaists rejected traditional artistic standards, logic, and reason. They were anti-war, anti-art, and anti-establishment, often using humor, absurdity, and derision in their works.

Why is the term 'Dada' considered to have no clear meaning?

'Dada' is said to have no fixed meaning. It might be a playful word, possibly the first sound uttered by a child or a nonsensical chant, representing absurdity and rejecting logical reasoning.

What is the significance of the Cabaret Voltaire?

The Cabaret Voltaire, opened in 1916 by Hugo Ball, was a key venue for Dadaist performances. It became the birthplace of Dadaism and hosted the group's experimental artistic events, similar to those of the Futurists.

How did Dada performances differ from traditional artistic presentations?

Dada performances were meant to surprise and amuse the audience with unconventional acts like blowing up balloons, emitting smoke from cigars, or even shedding tears, all aimed at disrupting the audience's expectations.

What is the main difference between Dadaism and Futurism?

While both movements were experimental in nature, Futurism was initially supportive of war and violence, whereas Dadaism was firmly anti-war and opposed to the rationality that led to conflict.

What is a 'readymade' in Dadaism?

A 'readymade' refers to an everyday object that is presented as art simply by being placed in an art context. For example, Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain,' a urinal, was re-contextualized as a piece of art.

How did Duchamp's 'Fountain' challenge the traditional concept of art?

'Fountain' challenged traditional art by using a mass-produced object with no inherent artistic qualities and presenting it as art. This act questioned the very nature of art and the role of the artist.

What is the significance of altering famous works of art in Dadaism?

Dadaists often altered famous artworks, like Duchamp's modification of the Mona Lisa, to challenge the idea of art as a sacred, untouchable entity. These alterations were not intended as insults but as a playful re-contextualization.

What role did chance play in Dada art?

Chance, or 'serendipity,' was central to Dadaism. Artists like Hans Arp created works by randomly arranging shapes or objects, believing that meaningful art could emerge from the spontaneity and unpredictability of chance.