Art and the Post War Crisis of Meaning.

Futurism, Dadaism and Surrealism

Introduction: 19th. Century.

19th. Century era of invention and discovery. First World War led to social trauma. People found consolation in art and literature. Form of expression critical of political and social behaviours. Pacifism became increasingly popular and Nihilism grew in popularity.

Futurism: (1911-1944)
Artistic and social movement originated in Italy. - Emphasized the dynamism, speed, energy, and power of the machine and the vitality, change, and restlessness of modern life in general.
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Demonstrate the beauty of modern life - the beauty of the machine, speed, change and the new technology of the automobile. Key figures: Filippo Tommaso Emilio, Giacomo Balla and Carlo Carr.

Carlo Carr. Horse and Rider, (1912)

Balla, Giacomo, Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash (1912)

Tullio Crali , Nose Dive on the City (1939)

Dadaism: (1916,1924)

Cultural movement in visual art as well as literature (mainly poetry), theatre and graphic design. Originated in Zrich and France. Works were characterized by a deliberate irrationality and the rejection of the prevailing standards of art. Rejection of war politics and social organization.

Fought against sexism/racism. Key figures: Tristan Tzara, Hannah Hoch and Francis Picabia.

Marcel Duchamp- 'L.H.O.O.Q.' (1919)

To Make a Dadaist poem (by Tristan Tzara).

To make a Dadaist poem take a newspaper. Take a pair of scissors. Choose an article as long as you are planning to make your poem. Cut out the article. Then cut out each of the words that make up this article and put them in a bag. Shake it gently. Then take out the scraps one after the other in the order in which they left the bag. Copy conscientiously. The poem will be like you. And here you are a writer, infinitely original and endowed with a sensibility that is charming though beyond the understanding of the vulgar."

Hannah Hoch- Cut with the Kitchen Knife DADA (1919)

Surrealism: (1924-1955)

Originated in France and was founded by the writer Andr Breton, after WW1. Highly concerned with dreams and the subconscious mind. Was considered socially acceptable and artistically valid. Artists created works of abstract beauty to delight the eyes. From the 1920s onward, the movement spread around the globe, eventually affecting the visual arts, literature, film, and music of many countries and languages, as well as political thought and practice, philosophy, and social theory.

Salvador Dal, Cisnes que se reflejan como elefantes (1937)

Salvador Dal, Aparicin de un rostro y un frutero sobre la playa (1938)

Ren Magritte, Gloconda (1953)

Ren Magritte, Los amantes I (1928)

Art movements are born out of the need for people to express their reactions to social, political and religious changes. The new movement will no doubt meet with resistance from critics and patrons alike, anyway, the artist will push forward with their movement until it gains acceptance.