Studies in Modernism class looks at Dada and Surrealism

Students enrolled in the Studies in Modernism class at LSMSA recently began a unit on Dada and Surrealism.

According to instructor Dr. Pamela J. Francis, these movements within Modernism rejected the perceived limitations of academy art of the 19th century.

The class began its study of Dada by making a simultaneist poem. This art form was first produced in the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich in 1916. The experience then consisted of constructing a poem with random words cut from various sources, while another artist read out loud from random texts. The class at LSMSA updated the experience: in addition to making a work of art with random objects and cut out words, a student read a series of text messages, while another student completed kinetic exercises. The students added yet another layer to the experience by screening home videos from Youtube.

The unit on Dada and Surrealism culminated in a field trip to Houston to visit the Menil Collection, which houses a significant collection of surrealist works, including numerous works from Max Ernst and Rene Magritte.

After lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, the class then visited the Museum of Fine Arts to view the museum’s collection of modern European art.

In May, students will complete the course by presenting on particular aspects of modernist art and literature.

Students in the class include Malak Alammar, a senior from Leesville; Sierra Bailey, a senior from Hammond; Josh Ballagh, a senior from Leesville; Marcos Cecchini, a senior from Denham Springs; Victoria Frabbiele, a senior from Covington; Kat Frost, a senior from Bossier City; Olivia Gotte, a junior from Iota; Christian Hairr, a senior from Sulphur; Andrew Hebert, a senior from Breaux Bridge; Vi Kinney, a senior from Natchitoches; Tori Laviolette, a senior from St. Martinville; Rory Marziale, a senior from Bush; Grayce Mores, a junior from Harvey; DJ Picolo, a senior from Destrehan; Adreanna Queen, a junior from Natchitoches; Kaitlyn Randall, a junior from Vicalia; and Ian Sager, a senior from Geismar.