Artist Quote by Hans Arp
“Dada was given the Venus of Milo a clyster and has allowed the Laocoön and his sons to rest awhile, after thousands of years of struggle with the good sausage Python. The philosophers are of less use to Dada than an old toothbrush, and it leaves them on the scrap heap for the great leaders of the world.”
About This Quote
Source Manifesto: Dada and the Modern World, Hans Arp, 1921
The passage satirically critiques the irrelevance of traditional philosophy to Dada, using absurd imagery to highlight the movement’s disdain for conventional authority.
In simple terms: Dada dismisses philosophy as useless, preferring chaotic creativity.
Key Takeaway
Embrace absurdity over rigid doctrine.
Themes
art movements
philosophy
absurdism
Mood
ironic
provocative
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- gallery exhibitions
- art education
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
Dadaism
iconoclasm
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Why does Dada reject philosophical authority?
- What value can philosophy still hold?
A Different Perspective
The humor may obscure serious critique of intellectualism.
