You may recall, or you may find on the web, a piece of art that was labeled, "This is not a Pipe". That phrase was painted large above the image of a pipe. And it was a true statement in that you were looking at an image and not a pipe, even though the image was of a pipe. That piece and others like it are from the Dada movement.
The Dada movement in my opinion is a direct descendent of Surrealism. This is probably the opinion of others as well, but I can draw my own conclusions. Dada and Surrealism both wanted to make a point about the traditions that we commonly hold dear. These movements wanted to challenge our way of thinking, the way we perceive those things around us, and to shock us. This was generally accomplished by presenting us with odd juxtapositions in the world around us or in the painted world.
Last week I was heralding the mundane and calling forth for the exposition of the common moments in life and now I am calling forth for something quite different. I am challenging you to create something that is not mundane at all. This doesn't need to be as severe as some of Dali's or Magritte's paintings or even Duchamp's sculpture. But it should be something out of the ordinary.
Surrealist tried to tap into their subconscious minds to get at their dreams. This odd dream world was where many believed the core of mankind resided. As if those symbolic images and thoughts of our subconscious could free our conscious mind from the dull monotony of our daily thoughts. Perhaps it was believed by some, even subconsciously, that by forcing these shocking and disturbing images upon us that they would awaken something within us.
Dadaists sought to shock us in a different manner. They wanted to surprise us with the absurd or unexpected. They wanted us to believe in one thing and turn that belief around so that we were taken aback. Something as simple as a little top hat on a stuffed turtle could be considered Dada art.
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