Dada & Surrealism

The Dada art movement was an early 20th century artistic and literary movement that originated in Zurich, Switzerland during World War I, as a response to the senseless violence and destruction of the war. Many of the Dada artists and writers were disillusioned by European society and culture, which they viewed as being corrupted and destroyed by the horrors of World War I.

The movement rejected conventional modes of art, literature, and culture, instead opting for radical experimentation and innovative techniques.

Dada artists often created works that were intentionally provocative or nonsensical, with the goal of shocking audiences into recognizing the limitations of traditional thought and artistic styles. They were also known for their use of collage and assemblage, as well as for their use of found objects and unconventional materials in their works.

Surrealism is an art movement that began in the early 20th century as a form of avant-garde artistic expression. The works produced within this movement are characterized by fantastical, dreamlike imagery and themes, often resulting from the unconscious mind.

While surrealist artists drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including dreams, poetry, psychology, and the natural world, their work sought to explore the unconscious mind and express it in a new artistic language.

Surrealist art was particularly influential during the interwar period in Europe, as artists grappled with issues of national identity and social upheaval in the aftermath of World War I.