Punk rock + Dadaism

These are some parts from my paper on punk rock and dada (anti) art movements. The paper itself got into much more specific elements, but this is what it sought to prove... more or less.

As cultural webs change across time, various fads in attitudes and art come and go. Culture is in constant motion, being influenced and shaped by individuals, and meanwhile influencing and shaping them. This dialectic between culture and individuals can clearly be seen in how past cultural movements influence and shape newer ones. Even as a subculture defines itself, so must it constantly struggle towards redefinition and resist assimilation. While some subcultures try to define themselves in opposition to any hegemony as a counterculture, they too are inevitably absorbed by the amorphous culture at large. The punk and dada movements were two such entities that sought to revolutionize the pervading mass culture, or at least exist despite it. While these two movements did make waves, ultimately the larger culture would integrate them, even against their best attempts to remain independent.

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The dada and the punk movements were countercultures, characterized by their positions against the norms. They challenged and critiqued the status quo using performances, parody, periodicals, and montages. Both movements sought to empower the disadvantaged and give a voice to the muted.

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The punk movement reintroduced the world to a dada-esque affront to the status quo in a slightly different way, burning with a slightly different fire. While the Dadaists consisted mostly of people who actually took part in actively producing art and performance for the movement, many punks limited their contributions to wearing the attire, attending shows, participating in the audience, and reading the fanzines. Also the main punk scene focused on working class youth, which differed from most of the Dadaists who were more bohemian artists.

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The dada and punk movements of the 20th century looked to define themselves against hegemony, but their struggles rested upon different foundations. Where dada looked to critique and ultimately redefine hegemony, punk pursued a life outside and despite the mainstream. While influenced by dada, punk took itself to new and different places. In spite of their rebellious and revolutionary aspirations, both movements were ultimately devoured by the given cultural norms. These countercultures grew as a critical response to the very mainstream culture that they ultimately rejoined.