Dada And Surrealism for Beginners

The unapologetically mad mood and tone of Dada and Surrealism began as a response to the horrors of World War I. From entering a urinal in an art competition to declaring their own Pope to creating a telephone from a lobster, the Dadas and Surrealists — Tzara, Arp, Duchamp, Dali, Man Ray, and others — defied convention, sneered at traditional sensibilities, and embraced, even flaunted, nihilism. This colorful overview examines the art, artists, legendary pranks, and philosophical underpinnings of two of the most irreverent, imaginative movements in 20th century art, as well as their continuing influence on contemporary art and culture.