Early Modern Art

 Dada Movement

    World War 1 took place from July 1914 to November 1918. Involving all of the major nations, it brought shock to the world as many nations suffered the affects of war. This war involved a more modern approach to combat, with weapons capable of reaching further distances, and the first use of tank and trench warfare along with new technology. Many changes and movements were actively taking place at this time, and this was a globally talked about event. The Dada movement “arose as a reaction to World War I and the nationalism that many thought had led to the war” (The Art Story). This artistic and literary movement originated in Zürich, Switzerland. Dada was known for the mockery of materialistic and nationalistic attitudes. A major goal in this movement was to oppose all norms of bourgeois culture, meaning it focused on opposing a society that is dominated by the mores of the ruling-class. Many artists accomplished this through generating difficult questions about society and rewriting the role of the artists and the purpose of art. Some key artists in the Dada movement are Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst and Hannah Höch.

    Marcel Duchamp is among few artists that “can boast of having changed the course of art history” (The Art Story). He coined the term “readymade” which designated mass-produced everyday objects that were promoted to the status of artwork by the mere choice of the artist. He also portrayed a taste for jokes, sexual innuendoes, and comedic value in his artwork. Duchamp truly inspired the Dada movement due to his upending of the role and purpose of art. In his piece titled French window created in 1920, Duchamp displays his puns and sexual innuendos in this model. This miniature model of a French window is inscribed with the words “COPYRIGHT ROSE SELAVY 1920” and the title “French window” at the base. Even-though the work resembles a French window in form, Duchamp used this to put a spin on the words “Fresh Widow” as a reference to the recent abundance of widows of World War I fighters. He also covered the eight windowpanes in black polished leather to signal mourning, and to play with the notion that painting is a window into the world. Though Duchamp displays a dark sense of humor, I enjoy this model due to the apparent turn from what people appropriated art to be. The name Rose Selavy was his feminine altar ego which was derived from the French saying “éros, c’est la vie”, meaning “the sex drive is life.”

Duchamp, M. D. (n.d.). Fresh Window [Painted wood, glass, leather]. Museum of Modern Art, United States of America.

    Max Ernst was an innovative artist that “mined his unconscious for dreamlike imagery that mocked social conventions” (The Art Story). Ernst was a German soldier during World War 1 and was deeply traumatized by the dramas of trench warfare, he also possessed a highly critical stance of western culture. His artistic vision, along with his humor, made him a pioneer in the Dada style. In his work titled Max Ernst The Virgin Spanking the Christ Child Before Three Witnesses: Andre Breton, Paul Eluard, and the Painter created in 1926, he portrays an earthly, rageful woman known as the Virgin Mary spanking Jesus as a child. In the background window watching and serving as witnesses are Andre Breton, Paul Eluard, and the painter himself - all three appear untroubled at this sight. Ernst upends his own Catholic beliefs with the piece's devotion to Jesus’ mother, Mary. He also challenges Western art and its paintings of loving scenes between Virgin Mary and Jesus. I enjoy the colors used in this painting and the surrealism style. The meaning is something that stands out to me the most: Ernst debasing western culture paintings and his faith while also incorporating his sense of humor into this painting shows just how much he contributed to the Dada movement.

 Ernst, M. E. (n.d.). The Virgin Spanking the Christ Child Before Three Witnesses: Andre Breton, Paul Eluard, and the Painter [Oil on Canvas]. Museum Ludwig, Germany.

    

    Hannah Höch was a female that contributed to the Dada movement by addressing the issue of gender and the figure of women in modern society. Höch was an inspiring woman who practiced “prominently in the arts in the early part of the 20th century” (The Art Story). In 1920, the first Dada fair was held in Berlin where she was the only female represented. Her piece titled Dada Puppen (Dada Dolls), created in 1916, is a very distinct creation in relation to  the other works of Berlin Dada artist, with whom she associated with early on. The dolls are wearing geometric clothing and have a mechanical appearance. Technology and mehcanics were revered but also feared at this time “since it both aided social and economic progress but also threatened humanity with its destructive power” (The Art Story). The two dolls do not look appealing to my eyes - personally they give me the creeps. The dolls are made of fabric, yarn, thread, board and beads, which I think is a great use of unique objects. A common goal in the Dada movement was to use art “as a satirical critique of such elements of culture that were both intimidating and absurd.” (The Art Story). Höch uses Dada Dolls as a great representation of this common goal.

Höch, H. H. (n.d.). Dada Puppen (Dada Dolls) [Fabric, yarn, thread, board, and beads]. Museum für Moderne Kunst, Germany.

    The Dada movement was filled with satire and strived to turn the idea of art upside down, to mock the materialistic and nationalistic attitudes. Though the Dada movement lasted for a short amount of time, it spawned great art styles like surrealism and shaped postmodern art. Dada is enjoyable to analyze and fascinating to look deeper into, it is a movement that has forever changed the way we view art.

References

The Art Story. “Dada Movement Overview and Key Ideas.” The Art Story, 2021, https://www.theartstory.org/movement/dada/.

The Art Story. “Marcel Duchamp Art, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, 2022, https://www.theartstory.org/artist/duchamp-marcel/.

The Art Story. “Hannah Höch Photomontages, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, 2020, https://www.theartstory.org/artist/hoch-hannah/.

The Art Story. “Max Ernst Art, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, 2020, https://www.theartstory.org/artist/ernst-max/.

Moma. “Moma Learning.” MoMA, 2021, https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/marcel-duchamp-fresh-widow-1920/.