Around the beginning and continuing past World War I, there was an art movement called Dada.  As a movement, Dada defined itself as an art form that focus on nonsense and what was not of any other convention of modernity or the status quo.  As so many had been killed and dying in the war, the Dada movement made no sense of any thought and rejected anything mainstream.  In a way, this was very avant-garde as it was a statement of senselessness, just like the war was so senseless to many.  The focus of the art was less on objects and objectivity and more about ideas and actions.  Many of these pieces were strange and abstract and a new understanding had to be implanted as most of these pieces were not much more than common items dressed up a little.  A basis for this art was distaste and disgust, both seen as “ideas” and viable for the new art world.  Another subset of Dada was photomontage.  This involved taking art photos or clips of mental images and arranging them in a way that would provoke thought and perhaps disgust, or provoke an emotion: again similar to the disgust and senselessness of WWI.   The cousin to Dada, as far as movements go was Surrealism.  This was the ideas pushed of primarily what we think in the subconscious.  Salvador Dali painted many pieces of a dream world, or what multiple thoughts and dreams might make when paired together in our heads at night.  Surrealism was again a step away from the mainstream and a rejection of the burgoise of the 1920-30’s.  Much of surrealism also involved modern clip art and photos in montage, film, performance of political and intellectual inquiries.  A good deal of this art being used to destroy the conventional ideas and thoughts about art.  This could also be described as a look away from sensible logic and reason to “anything” other.  “Anything” now could, can, and most likely is considered as art of revolt.  These two movements forever changed how we now look at art.  Anyone now can throw together something that’s outrageous and distasteful to society, and the art critics see that the artist isn’t disturbed but now is “suffering” or “lurking” through with little to no hope.  All while collecting huge amounts of money for their work.  As an example of this mindset, let’s look at “Forms in Echelon” by Barbara Hepworth.  (pictured above).  The artist wanted to have the viewer see two organic forms and let the eye of the beholder find the true sense and emotion of the piece.  I see two blocks of wood on another block of wood.  One has a hole in it.  The only emotion I get is “What the F%&$^”.  Its two blocks of wood with polish on it.  How could anyone else get anything else?  What’s next, you see a pebble on concrete and you associate that with the struggle of an immigrant and the vast network of hard road ahead that this pebble must pass through.  How can the pebble survive such harsh conditions and friction….blah, blah, blah….. 

My feelings on the topic are strained at best.  Just like some of the modern art we see today, I am not a fan nor am I impressed with the art works that want to provoke me emotionally for the negative.   I can see that some of the Dada works were special and were a statement of disgust, but most of it is done without any precision or mastery (a purposeful slight against mainstream).  It is simple and many works could be created by children.  The simplicity factor really bothers me, as it appears the artists are riding their reputations and political prowess rather than really being acknowledged for the premier and difficulty of their work.  In the AG textbook, it stated a new understanding of avant-garde in the 1970-80’s in respect to Cubism and abstract art.  The only thought that raced through my head was how many illicit drugs were being taken and used and how anyone high on coke, crack, heroin, or any other funky collection could mind alter themselves enough to see that “Gift” by Kenneth Noland was a huge statement of recourse.  It is 4 circles inside a baby puke colored canvas, using 2 color tones in acrylic.  My kids make this stuff all the time and put it on the fridge.   Most the abstract art I see just doesn’t cut it.  There may be a statement behind it, but the popularity of the piece comes from the political prowess they have, or from one or two other pieces they have done in the past.  One great work of art, doesn’t give someone a pass for the rest of their lives.