Dada developed from the shock of the First World War, from opposition to the rationale of a civilisation which condoned mass genocide in pointless material battles. The movement established itself as anti-art, discovering exciting new artistic approaches through an attack on traditional art. It expressed itself in provocative public performances, in experimental phonetic and simultaneous poetry, and leaflets and posters employing outrageous typography. Dada developed collage and photomontage into direct means of expressing disillusionment and loss of meaning. Berlin was an important centre of the Dada movement from 1917 onwards, and the legendary First International Dada Fair took place here in 1920.
The unique Dada collection in the Artists’ Archives contains photographs of the First International Dada Fair, the exhibition catalogue and numerous other printed texts, magazines, typoscripts and correspondence. It also keeps material concerning the Dada Movement in Paris.