Dada

Schwitters


Merzbild 46 A. Das Kegelbild (Merzpicture 46 A. The Skittle Picture)
In this piece, Kurt Schwitters is using the dada technique of Assemblage. The piece features a seemingly random collection of wood and metal pieces. All of the pieces contained in the work seem fairly mundane and unimportant when looked at on their own. In combination, however, they form a 3D abstract collage, which moves the eye around the piece. The key to the piece, however, is the artist frame. This is what marks it as "Art." Through this piece, Schwitters is able to subvert the traditional definition of art while creating his own.

Bild mit Raumgewächsen (Picture with Spatial Growths)
or Bild mit 2 kleinen Hunden (Picture with 2 Small Dogs), 1920 and 1939
The technique of this piece is an abstract collage. Schwitter's combines a wide range of sources and types of 2D materials as the basis of this work. From a distance, the forms and use of positive and negative space capture the eye. Soon, one is drawn in close and the individual components of the piece which include ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, written notes, and even hair are revealed. By using a collection of materials that seem to be collected off the street or from the trash, Schwitter is again able to bring into question what it means to be art.