The Dada and Bauhaus movement of the early 20th century cultivate the continuation of the Cubist art period shift. The influence of breaking tradition had exceeded another generation of artists from around the world. Through the various paintings over the centuries, sculptures had grown exceedingly during the Dadaism movement. The thought-provoking movement shaped the art styles of Marcel Duchamp, Hans Arp, and Max Ernst. The response to the first World War became reflected in the rebellious artistic period of the Dadaist movement. The humiliation of tradition tied with stepping outside of the box of normalcy created a new era of artists who developed a deeper understanding of the art culture.
The Dada and Bauhaus artists of this newfound generation of creatives contributed thousands of artworks, developing a firm grasp on modernism that would follow further as the years progressed. Artists such as Duchamp and Arp valued a different take on what the Dada movement would hold. And artist Ernst developed a colorful Dadaistic style that flowed into the following Surrealism art period.
Along with Dadaism, Bauhaus was an art and architectural movement during the 1920s. Artists arose from this generation of creative and architectural expansion. The Bauhaus movement began as a school in 1919 led by director Walter Gropius in Weimar, Germany. Under his leadership, two decades of teachers and students developed an engineering understanding of art and architecture modernism. The artisans of the 20th century impacted the concept of design. Ideas from furniture, architecture, and plays grew throughout the school. The Bauhaus school traveled among three different cities in Germany, Weimar, Dessau, and Berlin, before its economic and political end in 1933. While the art school was closed permanently and the Bauhaus period ended, it opened the door toward newer inventions and art.
Through the Bauhaus school and art movement, modern and contemporary artists today have a set foundation of creativity in various architectural and engineering fields. With the help of both the Dada and Bauhaus art periods, today’s artwork has become possible due to the boldness and creativity of the 20th-century creators. “It was against this tumultuous backdrop that the Bauhaus transformed modern art education, creating a system that endures today.” (Arnason, H. Mansfield, E. 2012). Without artists and founders such as Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Anni Albers, and Walter Gropius, the passion behind the art community would have diminished among the following generations.
From the Christian perspective, one can look at both the Dada and Bauhaus movements with a sense of hope. Artists and students from the Bauhaus institute did not give up despite the shutdown of the buildings. In addition, artists such as Marcel Duchamp stepped out in boldness by presenting a urinal in an art exhibition. With these wild and bold steps toward modernism, Christians can see this as a testament to never giving up. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37, ESV Bible). With God on one’s side, there could be nothing standing in the way of sharing the Gospel and one’s talents with the world.
For more articles on Dadaism and the Bauhaus movement please visit: https://magazine.artland.com/what-is-dadaism/ & https://www.theartstory.org/movement/bauhaus/
Hannah J. Pasquini © 2022
References:
Arnason, H., H. and Elizabeth C. Mansfield. History of Modern Art. Available from: Liberty University Online Bookshelf, (7th Edition). Pearson Education (US), 2012. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9780205953233/pageid/292
The English Standard (ESV) Bible Luke 1:37
