Dada and Surrealism are unique art and culture movements that reflect the thinking of artists during their respective periods. While there are similarities between the two movements, there are also distinct differences that can be identified in the artwork and writings of the artists who belonged to each movement.
Key Takeaways
- Dadaism started in 1916 and ended in 1920, while Surrealism began in 1924 and lasted until 1939.
- Dadaism was an anti-art movement that sought to change the way art was perceived by the masses, creating works that were intentionally ugly.
- Surrealism was a movement that retreated from reality and was regressive in nature, as people wanted to forget the atrocities of war.
Dadaism emerged in 1915 when various prominent artists from around the world, mainly Europe and America, gathered in Zurich to express their anti-war sentiments. The movement was a result of the feelings of unrest, despair, and struggle that the working class felt against the elite classes. Dadaist artists were so enraged that they intended to change the way art had been perceived by the masses for ages, making their artwork as ugly as possible to reflect their pain and anger.
Surrealism, on the other hand, was born out of Dadaism and can be traced from 1922 until 1939. The movement indicated the desire of people to move ahead and forget the horrid atrocities of the war. The writings and works of Surrealist artists reflected a regression away from reality, as war survivors did not want to face reality anymore.
The main differences between Dada and Surrealism are the time periods, the approach to art, and the retreat from reality. While both movements were borne out of anti-war sentiments, the artists of Surrealism were generally less innovative than those of Dadaism.
