Art has a limited impact on the political and cultural world. Robert Hughes in the film claimed that art would be impactful if people would open their hearts and minds to the meaning of the art. Considering the confidence and assertiveness he had when stating that, it seems like it could be true; however, people’s viewpoints are bias based on their political and cultural ideals. I believe that art can influence people who are not involved in government because government officials have a job to do and most prefer not to make radical movements.
Dada, an anti-rationalist movement, emerged after the world was torn apart by WWI because artists were seeking a way to express themselves after the war. The tremendous loss of life as a result of “rational” governments’ actions stirred feelings of hatred or animosity towards the government. An anti-rational movement seems to rebel against the narcissism of power. This movement gets under people's skin and shocks them - it provides a different way to view the world around them.
Alfred Jarry’s play, Ubu Rex, is a precursor to Dada theater because it is written in a way that defies authority, which is irrational to some in the general public and government. Ubu Rex mocks high society and the defined boxes of each stage in life. The language of this play satirizes the language of people in authority. Pa Ubu has no redeeming qualities to him, which portrays distain for power hungry individuals.
Jarry developed this play from the “low lifes” of Shakespeare; however, unlike Shakespeare, there is no contrast between upper and lower classes. This essentially shows that the classes are one in the same because they act the same – each are power hungry. This play challenges tradition because it goes against the class system built into society.
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