Art History Timeline / Dada and Surrealism
Dada and Surrealism for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Dada artists made silly, surprising art to question rules. Surrealist artists painted dreams, like melting clocks or apples floating in the sky. Their pictures look real but could never happen.
For teachers
Dada began in Zurich in 1916 as a protest against the violence of World War I and the logic behind it, using chance, collage and found objects. Surrealism followed with André Breton's manifesto in 1924, exploring dreams and the unconscious. Artists used unexpected combinations and games such as exquisite corpse.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Dream-like scenes
- Everyday things in strange places
- Melting or floating objects
- Collage and chance
Meet the artists
Hannah Höch
1889 to 1978
She cut up magazine photos to make surprising photomontages.
Joan Miró
1893 to 1983
He painted playful shapes, stars and creatures in bright colours.
René Magritte
1898 to 1967
He painted men in bowler hats and apples where faces should be.
Salvador Dalí
1904 to 1989
He painted melting clocks in The Persistence of Memory.
Leonora Carrington
1917 to 2011
She moved to Mexico and painted magical creatures and dreams.
Try it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Play exquisite corpse. Fold paper into three. One person draws a head, folds it over, the next draws a body, and the last draws legs. Unfold and give your creature a name.
Ms Artastic lessons
The video lessons below connect to this part of the timeline. Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and a printable lesson plan. For free lessons you can teach this week, open the Free Art Lesson Library.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryBooks for your art shelf
- Magritte's Marvelous Hat by D.B. Johnson
- Salvador Dali (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
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Questions teachers and parents ask
What is Dada and Surrealism?
Dada artists made silly, surprising art to question rules. Surrealist artists painted dreams, like melting clocks or apples floating in the sky. Their pictures look real but could never happen.
What time period is Dada and Surrealism from?
Time period: 1916 to 1940s. Where: Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Mexico.
Who are some famous artists of Dada and Surrealism?
Hannah Höch (1889 to 1978), Joan Miró (1893 to 1983), René Magritte (1898 to 1967), Salvador Dalí (1904 to 1989) and Leonora Carrington (1917 to 2011).
What is an easy art project for kids about Dada and Surrealism?
Play exquisite corpse. Fold paper into three. One person draws a head, folds it over, the next draws a body, and the last draws legs. Unfold and give your creature a name.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
Surrealism video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
🎬 Video lessons
Teach it with a video lesson
Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and the printable lesson plan.
