Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Dada was an avant-garde art movement born during World War I as a response to traditional values and societal norms. It rejected logic and reason, embracing absurdity, chance, and the unconventional in art.
Related terms
Ready-made: Everyday objects selected by Dada artists and presented as works of art without any alterations.
Marcel Duchamp: A key figure in the Dada movement known for his controversial ready-mades like 'Fountain,' which was simply a urinal.
Tristan Tzara: A Romanian poet associated with Dada who wrote manifestos promoting irrationality and anti-art.