Dadaism. An avant-garde artistic and literary movement that emerged during World War I in Zurich, Switzerland, around 1916. It was a reaction to the perceived senselessness of war and sought to reject traditional artistic values through absurdity, irrationality, and anti-establishment sentiments.

Origins and Philosophy

• Founded by artists and poets, including Hugo Ball, Tristan Tzara, and Hans Arp.
• Rejected logic, reason, and aesthetic conventions in favor of spontaneity and chaos.
• Heavily influenced by political and social upheaval, critiquing nationalism and capitalism.

Artistic Expression

Dada artists utilized unconventional techniques to challenge established norms:

• Collage and Photomontage: Used by artists like Hannah Höch and Raoul Hausmann to create fragmented, provocative images.
• Readymades: Everyday objects repurposed as art, as seen in Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain (1917).
• Performance and Poetry: Often nonsensical, surreal, and spontaneous, exemplified by Kurt Schwitters’ Ursonate.

Influence and Legacy

Though the movement declined by the mid-1920s, its impact was profound:

• Led to the development of Surrealism, championed by former Dadaists like André Breton.
• Influenced contemporary art movements such as Conceptual Art and Punk Aesthetics.
• Continues to inspire anti-establishment and experimental artistic expressions today.

Major Avant-garde Movements

Several key avant-garde movements have shaped artistic and cultural history:

• Dadaism – A reaction against World War I, emphasizing absurdity and anti-art aesthetics.
• Surrealism – Rooted in the unconscious mind, surrealist works often defy logic and reality.
• Futurism – Focused on technology, speed, and modernity, rejecting past traditions.
• Abstract Expressionism – A post-World War II movement characterized by spontaneous and emotive art.
• Conceptual Art – Prioritizing ideas over traditional artistic techniques and forms.