Dadaism; a movement that spewed the birth of revolution and anti-

government in the art industry. The movement is believed to have been

founded in the aftermath of World War I, in Zurich, it was a source of
comfort for the artists and people who sought strong dislike towards the
government’s pro-war antics.

The word itself has no meaning, which may have been the motto behind having
“Dada” as the title of the movement to further prove their objectives. Although
Dadaist activities lasted barely a decade, it has sculpted and given a new shape to
the art industry, and the effects of it remain to this day.

Dadaism challenged artistic norms and traditions, knitting the origin of change and
anti-capitalism in the art industry. The movement concreted the notion that “art, no
matter what shape or form, is subjective.” which relates to a rather infamous saying
that goes ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” The art movement was heavily
focused on anti-war politics, anti-colonialism, anti-capitalism, and aestheticism.
Dadaism also worked against racism and sexism, on a less ample scale than the
others. Subsequently, with such bold actions came intense dislike and discontent
towards the movement and its followers, with the media’s strong opinions against
Dadaism being “the most destructive thing that has ever originated from the brain
of man.”

Art historians see Dadaism as the rejection of logic and sense, something that
embraced liberalism and left-wing politics. To an ordinary eye, Dadaist works
seem absurd and plain, but those who delve deeper, evoke a deeper meaning
within.

‘Bicycle Wheel ‘ is an artwork from Marcel Duchamp that is made of a reversed

bike wheel mounted on a wooden stool. The artwork has a plain overtone to it, but
if uncovered, it breaks a lot of stereotypes and beliefs about the art industry. The
work itself refused the belief that art had to be aesthetically flattering to be
considered ‘art’ and pushed the boundaries even further.
Marcel Duchamp and ‘The Bicycle Wheel’
Another artwork by Duchamp called ‘The Fountain,’ consisting of an upright
urinal also caused great havoc in the art field as it shifted the perspective of art to
being conceptual and interpretative.

The Fountain by Marcel Duchamp (Magazine Artsper)

Although the movement saw a lot of resistance and negative remarks, it expanded
itself to multiple styles and left on a legacy as the European avant-garde for the
world to follow. It was a great form of escapism for those who’d always needed it
and still do.