TYPOGRAPHICAL ANARCHY

In artistic terms, Dada constant chosen enemy was traditional art styles- images are confused and presented without logic in order to upset and humiliate tradition. During the time of Dada i.e. World War One; a bourgeois spirit prevailed without individuality – it was as if a dehumanising element was present. I interpret many works of photomontage in this way. The juxtapose caricature nature of the photographs; expressed out of context and scale – suspends belief and therefore human/real relationship to the work. The Dadaists thought that by creating paradoxical art that emulated the unpredictable nature of life they could protest against the misguided rationality of society.

The artwork is entitled 'ABCD' by artist Raoul Hausmann. ABCD is like a scrapbook of Dada activities; a photograph of the artist appears. The scrap of map in the top right hand side shows Harrar, Ethopia – the town where his favourite poet lived after renouncing poetry!

The combination of word, media and photos seem at once to be coming out of the 'artist' (photograph of his mouth wide open) but also enveloping him - as if the words/emotions were overwhelming.
This work is very eyecatching and is loaded with symbolism. This type of work is said to be like early graffiti!