Emmy Hennings, German poet & performing artist who was one of the originators of the Dada movement and a founder of Dadaist Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, was born on this day in 1885. This photo shows Hennings with one of her Dada puppets
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A fascinating avant-garde art movement from the early 20th century that responded to World War I with an embrace of the absurd & chance, among other things. @smarthistory.bsky.social has some good materials that explain the movement https://smarthistory.org/modernisms-1900-1980/dada-and-surrealism/dada/
Basically after the horrors of the great war, artists threw up their arms and went "Fuck it" and cynically and spitefully started using trash to make new art cause that's what humanity deserved
Ohhh.... I saw a performance in the original Cabinet Voltaire venue in Niederdorf, shortly before they were kicked out. I wish I'd known more to appreciate what I was seeing fully.
TIL Emmy Hennings. I collect puppets and somehow this wonderful artist was unknown to me. Delightful rabbit hole that just took me down. Thanks for sharing.
Hey- I have a serious question. In the last few weeks, I've seen a significant uptick in snarky replies like yours. Not like it's destructive, but it sits somewhere between silly and snide. I've been scratching my head at this vibe shift on Bluesky, so maybe you can explain...?
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https://youtu.be/xzF1bhP4NfQ?si=iivl3QxjRNYRE2v8
I appreciate it.
Why is that?
I noticed Estonia had a big puppet scene during that same era.
Sonia DeLaunay, though not a Dadaist, also delightful.
Thank you!
Often when we burn an effigy or howl to the moon, I think of them