Dadaism

Dadaism is a cultural movement that began during World War I and peaked from 1916 to 1922 and concentrated on anti-war politics.  Dada opened the door for abstract artist and influenced pop art and laid the foundation for surrealism.  The Dada Manifesto is the international expression of our times, the great rebellion of artistic movements. 

Marcel Duchamp was at the forefront of this movement. Duchamp was not really interested “retinal art” or art that was visual he was more of an expressionist.  He is most know for his readymade, and ready-mades can be defined as an ordinary object elevated to the dignity of a work of art by the mere choice of and artist.

 

“Fountain”, by Marcel Duchamp 1917.

This piece he made use of an already existing object, a urinal and he titled it “Fountain” and signed it “R. Mutt”, the art show he submitted the piece stated that all works would be accepted.  This piece, Duchamp used the manufacture’s name as the artist, and everyone was ready to meet this new unknown artist not knowing the art was signed by Duchamp with a name that was on many urinal where urinal were on display where they were not considered a piece of art. 

Duchamp was defiant and had a sense of humor, we can see this in another piece he is know for.

 The famous Mona Lisa that has hung in the Louvre museum in Paris since the 1500’s painted by Leonardo da Vinci it was altered with the humor of Duchamp.    

Duchamp in 1919 drew on her face and Wrote L.H.O.Q.Q Phonetically: “Elle a chaud au cul”, or “She’s got a hot ass.”

The Dada period was defiant and Duchamp led the way opening doors for artist to express himself or herself in a way that shocked people. It made others look at art with an eye of not just, “beauty.”  Does art have to be beautiful, to be considered art?  The beauty is in the eye or sometimes the hand of the beholder.