Styles & Periods

Styles & Periods

Dadaism

Created in a café in Zurich in 1916, Dadaism was named randomly from a dictionary, and means “yes yes,” “hobbyhorse,” and “quack quack” in various languages. Dadaism was created in protest to bourgeois culture and its perceived role in the events leading up to World War I. Random, haphazard manners of art-making were recommended by Dadaists, as well as combining various artistic traditions. Writing, painting, photography and sculptural elements appeared in assembled collages. The artists working in a Dadaist manner were expressing their shocked, nihilist views of the society, and sought to undermine traditional ideas of beauty. In Dadaism, objects considered to have little visual value were placed together in monumental compositions. The group aspect was important, and like Futurism, manifestos were drawn up and signed by many, and performances were staged. Dadaism spanned the continents of Europe and North America. Kurt Schwitters, Jean Arp and Max Ernst worked in Germany. In France, the writer André Breton came to play a major role in Dadaism, and Man Ray, Francis Picabia and Marcel Duchamp formed the initial group of artists working in America. Perhaps one of the most remarkable accomplishments of Dadaism was the evolution of the readymade, instigated by Marcel Duchamp. Readymades were articles from mass-production selected by the artist, taken from their natural environments, and displayed as art. Perhaps the most famous readymade is Duchamp's Fountain, a white porcelain urinal, signed "R. MUTT", that was submitted for exhibition in 1917. Readymades raised fundamental questions about the nature of art, questions that are still being debated to this day. While Dadaism was short-lived, it was one of the most ground-breaking periods in the 20th century, and led into the highly influential Surrealism.


Some Artists In This Style
Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

At Least 34% Off

From $0.41

Charcoal Pencils

by Pacific Arc

Made with black and creamy leads that yield intense shades.

At Least 19% Off

Wirebound Notebooks

by Rhodia

These notebooks

From $8.09

Up to 45% Off

Up to 51% Off

BRAZOS Solid Bamboo Studio Easel

by Green Panda

Industry first full-sized bamboo easel!
Latest Product Reviews
Good price, prompt delivery, and well protected for shipping. This is not a product that is used every day, but when I need it, it is one of the most important items in my studio.
- Joe Perez in Ocala, Florida
Love them
- K Huff in Atwater, Ca
It will cut paper thin products well but it's not built for anything thicker than that.
- Henry R in South Carolina
Free Download for Kids

Download free coloring book pages Download FREE coloring
book pages to color at
home or school.

View Pages »