Dadaism, Surrealism, Constructivism

Dada (1914-1920s)

  • Zurich, Cologne, Berlin, Paris, New York 
  • Disillusioned by the useless slaughter of WWI
  • Rejected conventional methods of representation
  • Oil and canvas abandoned
  • Challenged the relationship between words and images; put writing in their works 
  • Characterised by ready-mades

Surrealism (1914-1920s)

  • Inspired by psychological studies of Freud and Jung
  • Sought to represent dreams, subconscious thought, and unspoken communication
  • Meant to puzzle, challenge, and fascinates
  • Sources in mysticism, psychology, and the symbolic 
  • Not meant to be clearly understood, not didactic 

Constructivism (1907-1930s) 

  • Experimented with new architectural materials
  • Influenced by Cubists 
  • No precise facades