Annual Juried Show- DADA! Celebrating Art of Absurdity

Born from the turmoil of World War I, Dadaism was a revolutionary art movement that rejected traditional artistic norms, embracing the absurd, irrational, and nonsensical as a protest against the societal "logic" that led to war. Pioneered by figures like Marcel Duchamp with his readymades, Dadaists challenged the very definition of art, prioritizing concept over aesthetics and incorporating chance, collage, and performance. Today, Dada's legacy is profound: contemporary artists continue to question what art can be, use found objects and appropriation, employ humor and absurdity to critique society, and explore performance and experiential art, proving that the spirit of Dada—to challenge, provoke, and redefine—remains incredibly relevant. This open call is an encouragement for our members to explore the different interpretations of art, and to combine elements that may seem absurd but work together. 
 

Dadaism, an early 20th-century avant-garde art movement, emerged as a furious reaction against the horrors of World War I and the societal norms that were perceived to have led to it. At its core, Dada was anti-art, anti-logic, and anti-bourgeois, celebrating nonsense, irrationality, and chaos. Artists like Marcel Duchamp, Tristan Tzara, and Hannah Höch employed techniques such as collage, readymades, sound poetry, and performance to subvert traditional artistic conventions and challenge established ways of thinking. 

Dadaism applied to today isn't about replicating its historical forms but recognizing its underlying spirit: a critical, often playful, and sometimes nihilistic response to the perceived irrationalities and hypocrisies of modern existence, often expressed through disruption, absurdity, and a refusal to conform to established norms.

Have fun! It's so absurd, it's even in the word DA DA. 

Exhibit dates: October 24 to December 4

Opening Reception and award ceremony: October 24, 6-9 pm

ACCEPTABLE WORKS: This exhibit is open to artists working in all mediums (no video or audio accepted). They must be over age 18. Artwork must not have been previously exhibited at the Suffolk Art Gallery and should have been completed within the last two years.

ENTRY FEE:  Current S.A.L. members may submit up to three works for $30. Non-members may submit up to three works for $55 and full-time student non-members for $50, which includes an individual membership. Non-Member entry fee includes a membership. 

All fees are non-refundable. 

SUBMISSION OF WORKS: Applications must be submitted by Friday, September 19, 12:00 a.m.