[1920 / 1930]
Weimer
Germany
- Germany after the first world war experienced a new form of
government, backed by American money. Moving away from imperialism
to capitalism opened the door for rapid industrialization and
consumerism's.
This created an explosion in two areas: first a rapid growth
in mass media and, second, a dramatic redefinition of the
social roles of women.
In response to this new culture a group of Berlin artists
called the Dada Painters questioned the political situation and
social ramifications amid the disillusionment of war and a dying
imperialist government. Through a juxtapositioning of embracing
modernism and criticizing modernism they reflected the hopes and
fears of a new society.
Within this framework Hannah Hoch created a remarkable
group of photomontages. Taking photographs from magazines such
as Biz, form whom she worked, she juxtapositioned the modern German-woman
with the colonial German woman. In doing so she challenged cultural
representations of women raising questions regarding women's sexuality
as well as their gender role in this new society. Through her
images Hoch creates an unsettling view as she addresses the fears,
and hopes for new possibilities for the modern German women.
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