Dada \'dad-{,}a\n : a movement in art and liturature based on deliberate irrationality and negation of traditional artistic values. (The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 1989. GK. Hall and Co.: Boston, MA)

Dada is an art/anti-art movement (1916-1922) founded by German and French artist as a form of political and social protest during WW1. Dada questioned traditional notions of what art is (i.e., what is used to create art (materials), how art is created (techniques), what art looks like) as well as how it is exhibited, distributed, and commodified. (Hapgood, Susan. 1994. Neo-Dada: Redefining Art 1958-62. American Federation of Arts: New York)

Dada wanted to "overthrow the artistic status quo." It wanted to illustrate how the value of art, both aesthetic and monetary, was a "choice of the mind", of a cultural time and its values, rather than a result of ability or an innate aesthetic. Dada wanted to show that materials of everyday life could be reconceptualized as art and that anyone could create art, rather than a chosen few. Lastly, Dada wanted to de-emphasize the traditional concept of the "original work of art" by emphasizing the value of art installations, prints, replica, and media environments. (Hapgood, 1994)

The Neo-Dada movement was a resurface of Dada ideology in the late 1950's and early 60's. It was more a paradigm shift (i.e., change in values reguarding the concept of art) than a political statement, as was the original Dada. (Hapgood, 1994)

Dada Art Lab embraces the Dada movement and its original purpose and introduces dadaist concepts and ideologies into the twenty first century. Dada Art Lab is a vital and essential part of a new resurfacing of dada art/anti-art, necessary for defying the artistic status quo and question the social, political and economic control it has over us.

Dada Art Lab believes the computer and information age is a tool that is being used in the evolution of this movement. In addition, we believe the internet is the key to accessing a global audience and further shift the power dynamics reguarding the artistic status quo and the politics that influence it. Through this new internet medium, Dada Art Lab brings the art to you... welcome to a new era in Dada.