In the early 20th century the Dada movement emerged in Europe as a creative response to the political climate of post-WWI. The movement brought together musicians, writers, and visual artists who broke the boundaries of their respective industries through innovative techniques and by bending the rules of traditional art making. In terms of visual art, Dada is known for the development of techniques like collage and photomontage. Artists like Hannah Hoch and Max Ernst physically cut and pasted mass media images to create artworks that often had political undertones and expressed discontent with issues like violence, war, and gender inequality.
Just like fashion moves in cycles, art movements also reinvent themselves through advances in technology. It’s been a decade since the emergence of Dada, but techniques such as photomontage and collage are being revived and reinvigorated through contemporary photography. Although lacking in political motivation like the Dada movement, these photographers are breaking boundaries and taking full advantage of the creative potential of modern technology. The following photo sets show that Photoshop isn’t just a tool for retouching or editing but can be a powerful medium in creating compelling artwork.
- By: Ikumi Cooray