9.1 Collage and photomontage
8 min read•august 21, 2024
Collage and photomontage revolutionized art in the early 20th century. These techniques allowed Surrealist and Dada artists to challenge traditional representation, explore the subconscious, and critique society by combining unexpected elements.
Pioneered by Cubists and embraced by movements like Dada and , collage evolved from simple paper and glue to include found objects and photographic elements. Artists like and used these methods to create powerful political and social commentary.
Origins of collage
- Collage emerged as a revolutionary artistic technique in the early 20th century, challenging traditional notions of representation in visual art
- Surrealism and Dada movements embraced collage as a means to explore the subconscious and critique societal norms
Cubist beginnings
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Georges Braque - Sein Werk | Moderne Kunst - verstehen! View original
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Pablo Picasso - Still-Life with Chair Caning | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original
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- Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque pioneered collage in 1912 with papier collé technique
- Incorporated newspaper clippings and other everyday materials into paintings
- Fragmented reality and multiple perspectives reflected cubist principles
- Still Life with Chair Caning (1912) by Picasso considered first modern collage
Dada adoption
- Dada artists embraced collage as a tool for challenging artistic conventions and social norms
- created Merz pictures using found objects and debris
- 's photomontages critiqued German society and politics
- Hannah Höch's (1919) combined images from popular media
Surrealist expansion
- Surrealists used collage to explore the unconscious mind and create dreamlike imagery
- developed and techniques to create unexpected juxtapositions
- incorporated collage elements into his paintings to enhance surreal effects
- 's poem-objects combined text and found objects in three-dimensional collages
Techniques and materials
- Collage techniques in Surrealism and Dada emphasized the use of everyday materials and found objects
- Artists experimented with various methods to create unexpected juxtapositions and challenge artistic conventions
Paper and glue
- Cut-and-paste technique using scissors and adhesives to combine different paper elements
- Papier collé involved gluing paper directly onto canvas or other surfaces
- of different textures and materials created depth and visual interest
- Newspapers, magazines, and printed ephemera served as primary source materials
- Allowed artists to incorporate text and imagery from mass media
Found objects
- Incorporation of three-dimensional objects into two-dimensional compositions
- 's readymades elevated everyday objects to art status
- Assemblage art combined found objects to create sculptural collages
- Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau transformed his entire house into a living collage
- Incorporated discarded materials and personal objects
Photographic elements
- Photomontage technique combined multiple photographic images to create new compositions
- John Heartfield used photomontage for political commentary and anti-Nazi propaganda
- Man Ray experimented with rayographs, creating photograms without a camera
- Combination of photographic elements with hand-drawn or painted elements
- Created surreal juxtapositions between reality and imagination
Key artists and works
- Collage played a crucial role in the development of Surrealism and Dada, with many artists pushing the boundaries of the technique
- These artists' works exemplify the diverse approaches to collage within these movements
Hannah Höch
- Pioneering figure in Dada movement and photomontage technique
- Cut with the Kitchen Knife Dada Through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch of Germany (1919-1920)
- Critiqued Weimar Republic politics and gender roles
- Explored themes of feminism, gender identity, and mass media in her collages
- Developed the concept of "photomontage" alongside Raoul Hausmann
Max Ernst
- Surrealist artist who extensively used collage in his work
- (1934), a collage novel combining Victorian engravings
- Developed frottage technique, rubbing textured surfaces to create unexpected imagery
- The Hundred Headless Woman (1929) combined collage and painting techniques
John Heartfield
- German artist known for his anti-Nazi photomontages
- Adolf, the Superman: Swallows Gold and Spouts Junk (1932) satirized Hitler's propaganda
- Pioneered use of photomontage for political activism and social commentary
- Worked for AIZ magazine, creating powerful anti-fascist images
Conceptual foundations
- Collage in Surrealism and Dada served as a means to challenge traditional artistic conventions and explore new ways of thinking
- These movements used collage to investigate the relationship between art, society, and the human psyche
Juxtaposition and chance
- Unexpected combinations of disparate elements created new meanings and associations
- Surrealists embraced and chance operations in collage creation
- Exquisite corpse game exemplified collaborative chance-based collage
- of unrelated images aimed to unlock the unconscious mind
Subversion of reality
- Collage allowed artists to create impossible or dreamlike scenarios
- Challenged viewers' perceptions of reality and encouraged new ways of seeing
- René Magritte's collage-like paintings subverted expectations of visual representation
- Distortion and of familiar images created uncanny effects
Political commentary
- Dada artists used collage to critique societal norms and political systems
- Photomontage became a powerful tool for propaganda and counter-propaganda
- created politically charged collages addressing post-WWI Germany
- John Heartfield's anti-Nazi photomontages published in left-wing magazines
Photomontage specifics
- Photomontage emerged as a distinct form of collage within Surrealism and Dada movements
- This technique allowed artists to manipulate reality and create powerful visual statements
Photographic manipulation techniques
- Combination of multiple photographic elements to create new compositions
- Double exposure effects achieved through layering of negatives
- Airbrushing and retouching used to blend disparate elements seamlessly
- Scale manipulation created surreal juxtapositions between objects and figures
Propaganda and mass media
- Photomontage utilized in political propaganda during World War I and II
- Soviet Constructivists like Alexander Rodchenko used photomontage for revolutionary art
- John Heartfield's anti-Nazi photomontages published in AIZ magazine
- Raoul Hausmann's critiques of German society through photomontage
Digital vs analog photomontage
- Traditional photomontage involved physical cutting and pasting of photographs
- Digital tools (Photoshop) now allow for more seamless blending and manipulation
- Contemporary artists combine digital and analog techniques in their work
- Debates arise over authenticity and skill in digital vs analog photomontage creation
Influence on modern art
- Collage techniques pioneered in Surrealism and Dada had a lasting impact on subsequent art movements
- The legacy of these early experiments continues to influence contemporary artistic practices
Pop art connections
- Robert Rauschenberg's combines incorporated collage elements with painting and sculpture
- Richard Hamilton's Just What Is It That Makes Today's Homes So Different, So Appealing? (1956) considered first Pop art piece
- Andy Warhol's silkscreen prints utilized photographic collage techniques
- Pop artists embraced mass media imagery, echoing Dada's use of found materials
Contemporary collage practices
- Artists like Wangechi Mutu combine traditional collage with digital techniques
- Mark Bradford creates large-scale abstract collages using urban materials
- John Stezaker's conceptual approach to photomontage continues Surrealist traditions
- Collage incorporated into installation art and mixed media practices
Digital collage in 21st century
- Software tools enable complex digital collages and photomontages
- Internet culture and memes draw on collage aesthetics and techniques
- Virtual reality and augmented reality art incorporate collage-like layering of imagery
- AI-generated art often utilizes collage-like combination of visual elements
Theoretical perspectives
- Various theoretical frameworks have been applied to understand and interpret collage in Surrealism and Dada
- These perspectives offer different lenses through which to analyze the cultural and psychological significance of collage
Semiotics and collage
- Roland Barthes' concepts of denotation and connotation applied to collage imagery
- Collage elements function as signs within a larger system of meaning
- Juxtaposition of disparate elements creates new signifying relationships
- Umberto Eco's theories of open work relevant to interpreting collage
Psychoanalytic interpretations
- Freudian concepts of condensation and displacement in dream imagery applied to collage
- Jacques Lacan's ideas of the imaginary and symbolic orders reflected in collage techniques
- Collage as a means of accessing and representing the unconscious mind
- Surrealist use of collage seen as visual equivalent of free association
Marxist critique of photomontage
- Walter Benjamin's concept of mechanical reproduction relevant to photomontage techniques
- John Berger's Ways of Seeing explored how photomontage challenges traditional art
- Photomontage as a tool for critiquing capitalist society and consumer culture
- Theodor Adorno's views on the culture industry applicable to collage in mass media
Cultural impact
- Collage techniques developed in Surrealism and Dada have had a lasting influence on visual culture beyond the realm of fine art
- These influences can be seen in various forms of popular media and design
Advertising and design
- Collage aesthetics widely adopted in graphic design and advertising
- Magazine layouts and posters incorporate collage-inspired compositions
- Digital collage techniques used in creating compelling visual advertisements
- Surrealist-inspired juxtapositions employed to create memorable brand imagery
Album cover art
- Collage widely used in album cover design since the 1960s
- Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) features iconic collage by Peter Blake
- David Bowie's Diamond Dogs (1974) cover by Guy Peellaert uses photomontage techniques
- Contemporary artists like Stanley Donwood continue to use collage for Radiohead albums
Meme culture precursor
- Surrealist and Dada collage techniques foreshadowed internet meme culture
- Juxtaposition of unrelated images to create humor or social commentary
- Remix culture and appropriation art draw on collage traditions
- Visual puns and wordplay in memes echo Surrealist and Dada approaches
Collage in surrealist manifestos
- Surrealist manifestos and theoretical writings often discussed collage as a key technique for exploring the unconscious and challenging artistic conventions
- These texts helped establish collage as a central practice within the Surrealist movement
Breton's views
- André Breton emphasized collage as a means of accessing the marvelous
- Discussed collage in relation to automatic writing and dream imagery
- Saw collage as a way to subvert rational thought and bourgeois values
- Emphasized the role of chance and the unconscious in collage creation
Ernst's beyond painting
- Max Ernst's essay Beyond Painting (1948) explored collage techniques
- Described frottage and grattage as extensions of collage principles
- Emphasized the alchemical nature of combining disparate elements
- Discussed collage as a means of transcending traditional artistic boundaries
Collage as automatic process
- Surrealists viewed collage as a form of visual automatism
- Random selection of elements seen as a way to bypass conscious control
- Exquisite corpse game exemplified collaborative automatic collage
- Collage process compared to automatic writing and dream recollection
Legacy and contemporary practice
- The collage techniques developed in Surrealism and Dada continue to influence contemporary art practices
- Artists today draw on these historical precedents while adapting them to new media and cultural contexts
Mixed media developments
- Contemporary artists combine collage with painting, sculpture, and digital media
- Installation art incorporates collage principles in three-dimensional space
- Video art and film utilize collage-like editing techniques
- Sound collage and sampling in experimental music echo Dada and Surrealist approaches
Collage in digital age
- Digital tools enable complex layering and manipulation of images
- Internet art and net.art incorporate collage aesthetics in online environments
- Glitch art and databending create digital collages through file manipulation
- Augmented reality and virtual reality art utilize collage-like layering of imagery
Appropriation art debates
- Collage techniques raise questions about authorship and originality
- Richard Prince's rephotography and appropriation art draw on Dada traditions
- Legal and ethical debates surrounding fair use and copyright in digital collage
- Shepard Fairey's Obama Hope poster controversy highlights issues in contemporary collage practice
Key Terms to Review (29)
1916 Cabaret Voltaire: The 1916 Cabaret Voltaire was a nightclub in Zurich, Switzerland, founded by Hugo Ball and his companions as a meeting place for artists and intellectuals during World War I. It became the birthplace of Dadaism, an avant-garde art movement that rejected logic and embraced chaos, absurdity, and spontaneity. The cabaret hosted performances that combined poetry, music, and visual art, employing techniques like collage and photomontage to challenge traditional artistic norms.
Absurdism: Absurdism is a philosophical perspective that emphasizes the conflict between human beings' desire to find inherent meaning in life and the chaotic, indifferent universe that offers none. This concept is deeply connected to the aftermath of World War I, where artists grappled with a sense of disillusionment and questioned traditional values, leading to new artistic movements and expressions.
André Breton: André Breton was a French poet and writer, best known as the founder of Surrealism and a key figure in the Dada movement. He sought to explore the unconscious mind and promote new artistic expressions that defied traditional aesthetics, ultimately transitioning from the Dada anti-art approach to a more structured Surrealist ideology.
Anti-art: Anti-art is a movement that challenges and subverts traditional definitions and conventions of art, promoting the idea that anything can be considered art, particularly if it provokes thought or reaction. This concept emerged prominently in the early 20th century, especially during World War I, as artists sought to reject established norms and critique societal values through absurdity, irrationality, and playful disobedience.
Anti-bourgeois: Anti-bourgeois refers to a rejection of the values, norms, and behaviors associated with the bourgeois class, which is often seen as materialistic, conformist, and elitist. This concept is tied to a broader critique of capitalist society and its emphasis on profit over artistic and individual expression. Within various movements, especially in art and literature, it serves as a rallying cry for challenging societal norms that prioritize wealth and status over creativity and authenticity.
Automatism: Automatism is a technique used in art and literature that emphasizes spontaneous creation, allowing artists and writers to express their subconscious thoughts without the constraints of rational thought or premeditated intent. This approach is foundational in both Dada and Surrealist movements, as it seeks to tap into the unconscious mind to produce works that defy conventional logic and form.
Berlin Dada Group: The Berlin Dada Group was a faction of the Dada movement that emerged in Berlin during the early 20th century, particularly between 1918 and 1923. This group was known for its radical and avant-garde approach to art and literature, often using collage and photomontage to challenge traditional aesthetics and societal norms.
Cut with the Kitchen Knife: Cut with the Kitchen Knife is a notable work by Hannah Höch, created in 1919, which exemplifies the Dada movement's embrace of collage and photomontage techniques. This piece uniquely combines found images and text, producing a fragmented visual narrative that critiques society, gender roles, and the politics of post-World War I Germany. The work showcases how the Dadaists used these techniques to challenge traditional art forms and explore new modes of representation.
Cut-up technique: The cut-up technique is a method of creating new texts by randomly cutting and rearranging existing written materials, often resulting in unexpected juxtapositions and meanings. This approach aligns closely with the ideas of automatism, as it encourages spontaneity and the subconscious mind's influence in art and literature. By disrupting traditional narrative structures, the cut-up technique opens up new avenues for collage and photomontage, inviting layers of interpretation and surreal connections.
Dadaism: Dadaism was an avant-garde art movement that emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction to the horrors of World War I. It rejected traditional aesthetics and cultural norms, embracing absurdity, chaos, and anti-art sentiments. Dadaists sought to challenge the conventional understanding of art and society through their provocative works and performances.
Fragmentation: Fragmentation refers to the process of breaking a whole into distinct parts or pieces, often leading to a disjointed or incomplete representation of an idea or concept. In creative contexts, such as visual arts, literature, and film, fragmentation is used to challenge traditional narrative structures and perceptions, allowing for multiple interpretations and emphasizing the complexity of human experience.
Frottage: Frottage is a technique in art where textures are created by rubbing or drawing over a surface, often using materials like pencil or charcoal to transfer the patterns of the underlying surface onto paper. This method connects to various artistic movements by emphasizing randomness and the exploration of subconscious imagery, which aligns well with practices focused on irrationality, automatism, and the unconscious mind.
Grattage: Grattage is a surrealist technique that involves scraping or rubbing paint off a surface to reveal textures and forms underneath, allowing chance to dictate the outcome. This method emphasizes the role of spontaneity and the unconscious in art, connecting it to broader practices of automatism and free association.
Hannah Höch: Hannah Höch was a pioneering German Dada artist known for her innovative use of collage and photomontage techniques, significantly contributing to the Berlin Dada movement. Her work challenged traditional notions of art and gender, employing visual narratives that critiqued society and explored identity, especially in relation to women's roles in the early 20th century. Höch's distinct style and feminist perspective have made her a crucial figure in both Dada and early Surrealist movements, influencing later artists in Eastern Europe and beyond.
John Heartfield: John Heartfield was a pioneering artist and political activist known for his innovative use of photomontage as a means of social and political commentary. His work challenged traditional aesthetics by subverting images and creating provocative visual critiques, particularly of the Nazi regime. Heartfield's artistic techniques not only showcased his rejection of established art forms but also positioned him within the broader narrative of surrealism's engagement with politics.
Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is the artistic technique of placing two or more elements side by side to create contrast, highlight differences, or provoke new meanings. This technique is essential in surrealism and Dada, as it challenges conventional perceptions and invites viewers to explore the unexpected relationships between disparate objects or ideas.
Kurt Schwitters: Kurt Schwitters was a German artist, known for his innovative approach to art that blended various mediums and techniques, particularly through his use of collage. He played a significant role in the Dada movement and is celebrated for his unique contributions to modern art, particularly in the context of challenging traditional aesthetics and embracing new forms of expression. His work often incorporated everyday materials and emphasized the importance of chance and spontaneity.
L.h.o.o.q.: l.h.o.o.q. is a playful and provocative piece of wordplay that emerged from Dada art, famously associated with Marcel Duchamp's alteration of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. The term is a French pun, derived from the phrase 'Elle a chaud au cul,' which translates to 'She has a hot ass,' and emphasizes Dada's embrace of absurdity and irreverence while challenging traditional notions of art and representation.
Layering: Layering is a technique used in collage and photomontage where multiple images or materials are arranged on top of each other to create a cohesive composition. This method allows artists to combine different visual elements, textures, and meanings, resulting in a complex narrative that invites deeper exploration. By stacking various layers, artists can manipulate perspectives and meanings, leading to unexpected interpretations and emotional responses.
Marcel Duchamp: Marcel Duchamp was a French-American artist known for his pivotal role in the development of Dada and conceptual art. His innovative approach challenged traditional notions of art, particularly through his use of ready-mades, which were ordinary objects presented as art. Duchamp's ideas and works had a profound impact on various art movements, shaping the direction of modern art in the wake of World War I and influencing the transition to Surrealism.
Max Ernst: Max Ernst was a pivotal German painter, sculptor, and poet known for his innovative techniques and contributions to both Dada and Surrealism. His work embodied the rejection of traditional aesthetics and the embrace of the subconscious, drawing heavily on themes of dreams and fantasies, and utilizing unique methods such as collage and frottage to explore new forms of artistic expression.
Photo montage: Photo montage is a technique that involves combining multiple photographs to create a single image, often used to convey complex ideas or emotions. This form of visual art allows for the juxtaposition of different elements, creating new meanings and interpretations. By layering images and playing with their arrangements, artists can challenge perceptions and evoke surreal qualities, making it a popular method among Surrealists and Dadaists.
Raoul Hausmann: Raoul Hausmann was a prominent artist, writer, and theorist associated with the Dada movement in Berlin during the early 20th century. He was known for his innovative use of collage and photomontage, which challenged traditional art forms and reflected the chaotic nature of modern life. His work often included social and political commentary, making significant contributions to the development of both Dada and the broader avant-garde movements.
Ready-made: A ready-made is an everyday object that is transformed into art simply by being designated as such by the artist. This concept challenges traditional notions of art and aesthetics, often blurring the lines between functional objects and artistic expression. It emphasizes the idea that the context and the artist's intention can redefine the value and meaning of ordinary items.
Salvador Dalí: Salvador Dalí was a prominent Spanish surrealist artist known for his bizarre and dreamlike imagery, exceptional technical skill, and flamboyant personality. His work often incorporated themes of subconscious exploration, unexpected juxtapositions, and meticulous attention to detail, making him a central figure in the surrealist movement and influencing various forms of art and culture.
Surrealism: Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by the exploration of the unconscious mind and the juxtaposition of dream-like imagery with reality. This movement sought to liberate human experience from rational constraints, often producing works that defy logical interpretation and provoke emotional responses. It draws connections to earlier movements like Dada while also breaking new ground in its emphasis on dream interpretation and the unconscious.
Surrealist Manifesto: The Surrealist Manifesto is a foundational text for the Surrealist movement, written by André Breton in 1924, which outlines the principles and goals of Surrealism as a means to unlock the unconscious mind and explore dreams. This manifesto serves as a reaction to the rationalism that dominated art and culture after World War I, advocating for a new artistic expression that embraced irrationality and the unexpected.
The bride stripped bare by her bachelors, even: The bride stripped bare by her bachelors, even is a pivotal artwork created by Marcel Duchamp between 1915 and 1923, symbolizing the tension between the ideal and the grotesque. This piece embodies the Dadaist ethos, questioning traditional aesthetics and conventions of art while presenting a fragmented narrative through its dual panel structure. The work also engages with nihilism, collage techniques, and forms like decalcomania to emphasize the absurdity of existence and the breakdown of societal norms.
Une semaine de bonté: Une semaine de bonté, or 'A Week of Kindness', is a visual and literary work created by the surrealist artist Max Ernst in 1934. This work is composed of a series of collages and photomontages that blend elements of dreamlike imagery, fantastical landscapes, and whimsical narratives, reflecting the surrealist ideals of challenging reality and exploring the subconscious.