Definition

A cultural movement in the early 20th century that rejected traditional art standards and embraced chaos and absurdity, often as a response to the horrors of World War I.

Example

Dadaism challenged the conventional ideas of art and expression, leading to innovative and unconventional works.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of dadaism?

Yeah, it's that art movement from the early 20th century, right?

Exactly! It was all about rejecting traditional art forms.

I find it fascinating how it challenged the norms of its time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dadaism originates from the French word 'dada', which is a term of endearment for a child, and it was adopted by artists in the early 20th century to describe a movement that rejected traditional aesthetics and embraced absurdity and irrationality. The suffix '-ism' denotes a distinctive practice or philosophy. Thus, Dadaism refers to a movement characterized by its embrace of the nonsensical and the rejection of conventional artistic standards.

Memory Tip

Imagine a movement that plays with the idea of childlike wonder ('dada') and challenges traditional art forms ('-ism'). This helps you remember that Dadaism is all about embracing absurdity and rejecting the norm.

Visually Confused Words