World War I Effects

 World War I

There are many people who think differently when we think of what caused World War I. But we know that World War I was triggered by the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian national in Sarajevo. World War I is considered the first Modern War because of modern weaponry such as machine guns, airplanes, tanks, and poison gas. Alas, the arts were affected by World War I. Dada art and Surrealism are two types of art that formed after World War I.

Dada Art

Some artists believed that the war was created from tradition. Artists reacted to the war by rejecting tradition. This rejection of tradition was called Dada and was formed after the war started. Hence, the formation of Dada art. 

Fountain (1917) by Marcel Duchamp; location lost/destroyed 

Despite the original sculpture being lost or destroyed, there were 16 replicas that were made with Duchamp's approval. This sculpture is very anti-art and anti-rational which makes it a Dada type of sculpture. This work of art by Duchamp was unusual or avant-garde. The Fountain had to be accepted because all submissions were to be accepted at the Society of Independent Artists. But even if it was accepted, they didn't place it to be shown. 

In this unusual sculpture from Duchamp, I see a rebellion against traditional art. With the upside-down white porcelain urinal signed "R. Mutt", I see some sort of protest to the traditional art. That was exactly what Duchamp wanted to show. Because of the brutal war going on, Dada artists like Duchamp reacted by making this unnatural "work of art". I liked that Duchamp did this. If something brutal like a war happened, I would want to rebel against the war just as Duchamp does. This work of art gives me an emotion of pride and wanting to stand up for myself. 

The Pillars of Society (1926) by George Grosz; location Nationgalerie 

This is a Dada type of art painted by Grosz. In this, Grosz shows us the corrupt people of Germany. Grosz is actually a German but he migrated to America before Hitler gained power and showed he was anti-Nazi. Grosz depicts the German class with the officer, clergyman, and more. Grosz paints them in a way that is against them. 

Grosz paints their faces in a way that makes them not look alive. There faces are either discolored or bruised. This shows that Grosz is against the German government. Grosz makes great use of color and emphasis. The colors of the faces are unnatural. The background is red which gives the emotion of danger. I think these emphasize the work of art. It really shows how Grosz feels about the Weimar Republic. That's the emphasis here. 

Surrealism

Surrealism came from Dada and was more irrational and strange because the works were also connected to Sigmund Freud. 

The Elephant Celebes (1921) by Max Ernst; location Tate Modern

In this work of art by Ernst, I see some strange things which make it a surrealistic work of art. In some parts of this, I can see some Dada aspects of art. A dreamlike place along with non-traditional things such as this big black figure which looked like a big robot to me at first glance. But it is an elephant with the tusks going backward making it look like horns. Also a nude woman without a head raising her left hand. 

Ernst uses shapes, contrast, and atmospheric perspective. The shapes are uneven which makes it untraditional. Like the elephant's head is uneven. The elephant's body is oversized and the neck looks like a vacuum hose. The lady has no head. Behind the black elephant, I see the hazy sky behind easily due to the contrast in color. The atmospheric perspective allows me to see what looks like mountains far behind. All of these aspects give me a feeling of being lost or in a weird dream. 

Because of World War I, the arts were really affected. People rebelled. Not just people but also artists. Artists reacted rightfully and I think they did the right thing. As Dada and Surrealism formed, the art world also changed. I didn't really like the arts during this time period but I understand it. There weren't any warm colors and satisfying symmetrical shapes. 

Works Cited

Cabinet. “An Overview of the Seventeen Known Versions of ‘Fountain’: Cabinet.” CABINET / An Overview of the Seventeen Known Versions of "Fountain", www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/27/duchamp.php.

Dadaism - Art and Anti Art, www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/dadaism.htm.

“Fountain (Duchamp).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_(Duchamp).

“Society of Independent Artists.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 June 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Independent_Artists.

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. “Home.” Staatliche Museen Zu Berlin, www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/nationalgalerie/home/.

“Tate Modern.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_Modern.

“The Elephant Celebes.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 June 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elephant_Celebes.