By Sean D. Evans (Contributer) – Email
In a class on Modern literature we are taking a week-long look at the Dada movement in the early 20th century. What’s the Dada movement you ask? Dada is essentially anti-art.
In the 19th century, ‘enlightenment’ philosophy (kindly termed) showed the world that we were able to ‘progress’ and ‘evolve’ to perfection—all we needed was rationalism. No more of that religious rubbish—all we needed was science…And then along came the First World War. “Congratulations, enlightened folk” history says, “You’ve just used your science and advancing technology to kill millions. How’s that for utopia?”
Quite naturally, many young, idealist, hipster types were pretty choked. The result=Dada. Questioning the status quo, disillusioned with the bloodiest conflict in human history, the Dada movement satirized the complicity of the bourgeoisie, capitalist pigs, with the military. They didn’t stop there, however, Dada took a swing at pretty much every establishment, declaring all to be meaningless.
Dada art and poetry, presented a frightening worldview:
Statements like:
“Everything one looks at is false. I do not consider the relative result more important than the choice between cake and sherries after dinner.”
“Everything that is not me is incomprehensible…Everything that is me is incomprehensible”
“Dada proposes 2 solutions: NO MORE LOOKING. NO MORE SPEAKING(2)”
Essentially, Dada took the disillusionment that the war presented and turned it to despair—all of life is meaningless. Everything is false, and that doesn’t matter anyways. Life, UFV, your mother, my cat, the guy working at Tim Hortons, and the whole Universe are just one big shit-storm (pardon my French)—according to Dada.
Are we buying this? (does this effect the way we view the world around us?)
How does this play into our current culture?
Our education?
Anyone out there?
