DADA and ART NOUVEAU | DadaNouveauSociety

What is Dada Nouveau?

Dada Nouveau is a social community whose name is inspired by historical art movements called "Dada" (ca. 1920's) and "Art Nouveau" (ca. 1890's).

We don't have a defined artistic aesthetic or social agenda, only the desire to live authentically, relationally, and creatively in a fast-changing century.

WHAT IS DADA?

“Dada” is a nonsense word, and anti-establishment art movement circa 1915-1924. As a reaction to the traumas and displacement of World War I, and divisive nationalist movements, Dada artists embraced nonsense, challenged form and conformity, encouraged chance and spontaneity over careful planning and execution of fine art, and expressed counter-cultural and socially taboo ideas through art, collage, sculpture, theater, dance, poetry, music, costume, and publications.

Please watch this overview video and visit this website to learn more:

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/dada/

WHAT IS DADA ABOUT OUR SOCIETY?

100 years later, our society is again reacting to trauma, displacement, and divisive nationalist movements. We recognize a need to use all forms of expression, both reactionary, to process personal and generational trauma; and visionary, to reclaim humanity for communication and relationships, and resist the robotification of humans and artistic expression by AI, tech, and financial systems. We let our cultural repressions and inhibitions give way to the silly, surreal, and spontaneous.

WHAT ISN'T DADA ABOUT OUR SOCIETY?

It is not necessary to adopt the style and techniques of Dada art in our own works. The Nouveau in Dada Nouveau means that in the past 100 years, we’ve grown a little more wise, a little more mature, a little more respectful, and a little more aware in our self-expression and social commentary. We recognize the equality and respect the dignity and boundaries of all humans, regardless of gender, age, orientation, ability, or belief. We do not seek to shock the world with vulgarity, destroy systems with revolutions or protests, or gain notoriety. We simply want to BE the change we want to see in the world, by transforming our personal lives, relationships, and community. We’re serious about personal growth and safe spaces.

WHAT IS ART NOUVEAU?

“Art Nouveau” means “New Art” and was an artistic movement circa 1880-1915. Art Nouveau artists preferred natural and organic lines and motifs, and sought to elevate the applied and decorative arts – practical designs in furniture, home goods, clothing, architecture, and advertising – to the beauty, status, and craftsmanship of Fine Arts. The Art Nouveau movement turned everyday life into a celebrated aesthetic, available to all outside the pedantry of Fine Art institutions.

Please watch this video and/or visit this webpage to learn more:

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/art-nouveau/

WHAT IS NOUVEAU ABOUT OUR SOCIETY?

120 years later, natural and organic designs have disappeared from much of our architecture and fashion in favor of cheap, quick, practical constructions. Besides trying to insert aesthetics into our everyday fashions and consumer goods, Dada Nouveau seeks to insert a beautiful, organic, and excellent craftsmanship into the underpinnings of our lives: personal mental health, relationships, and community. We largely reject mass-produced and AI-generated artistic expression, and institutionalized personal health and development, in favor of raw, unedited, imperfect self-expression, practical and beautiful communities of equality and respect, and elevating human life to the appreciation and status of a masterpiece.

WHAT ISN'T NOUVEAU ABOUT OUR SOCIETY?

Again, it is not necessary to emulate the artistic style in our own work. Creative expression and safe, functional, in-person communities are nothing new: they’re the foundation of human civilization. We might be a little old-fashioned in our search for a simplified, embodied, presence-based society which reduces technology in favor of real-life eye contact, human touch, and process-based art, taking our time to engage with the tangible tools and messy materials, both personally and artistically. There’s no hustle here.