Dadaism Research Paper

No human being with soul or a desire for knowledge can deny an interest in the arts, even if it is slight. Art is one of the most powerful vehicles for communication. It expresses visions that are beyond the capacity of words, thus attaching pieces of its creator to each creation. The evolution of art parallels the evolution of the human being. Economy and rationality rule temporarily, but art is forever. Because art is the expression of societal life, it is important to survey the art of today. Modernism (late 1800s-mid 1950s) has reflected, like no other, the development of our modern day society. It is not mere coincidence that the first art movement of the 21st century to deny the academic standard occurred in the same time period as
Anarchism is often associated with violence and chaos. Dada captured this spirit of revolt in its brushstrokes, collages and patterns. Revolution is a spiritual emotion felt deep within the body and mind. Modernism, specifically Dadaism, was this and so much more. Pain was not expressed in words, but in texture. Repulsion was not show in violence, but in imagery. Confusion was contained in color, not helplessness. Modernism eased society into a mind frame of desire. This desire burned for something more than development. We, as a society, yearned for emotional maturity, the wisdom to know right from wrong, the courage to change and a burgeoning future. Modernism gave this to us without bloodshed. Contemporary Art must also give thanks to Modern and Dada Art movements as a whole. Without Modernism, Contemporary Art would cease to exist. (Erickson par. 7). This is because art has been and will always be considered a revolt to the former. Just like Modernism, and any other art movement before it, contemporary and conceptual art has warranted criticism. But it is thanks to Modernism that artists create and revolt silently in the face of that criticism. An anarchist spirit has been ingrained into art. The fine arts have, since then, continually questioned the definitions of and concepts behind art. One can notice this in the periods that immediately followed Dadaism. Surrealism questioned reality itself. Abstract Expressionism, made famous by Jackson Pollock, designed an entirely new artistic method. Pop Art characterized a colorful but quiet hostility towards consumer culture. Minimalism attempted to discover the elements of art by reducing it. Modernism both transformed and redeemed