Which movement is characterized by the rejection of traditional aesthetics?

The Dada movement is distinguished by its stark rejection of traditional aesthetics and cultural norms, emerging as a response to the horrors of World War I. Dada artists sought to challenge conventional notions of art, beauty, and meaning. They embraced chaos, absurdity, and spontaneity, often using non-traditional materials and techniques, such as collage and ready-mades, to provoke thought and elicit a reaction. This anti-art stance was a deliberate attack on the rationality and logic that had led to societal breakdown, thereby embracing irrationality and surprise.

In contrast, the Baroque movement is known for its dramatic expression and emotional intensity, often adhering to established aesthetic principles. Neoclassicism sought to revive the classical ideals of ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing harmony, proportion, and order in a manner that was quite traditional. The Renaissance celebrated a resurgence of classical knowledge and artistic forms that adhered to beauty and realism. Thus, Dada stands apart as the only movement explicitly focused on dismantling the very foundations of traditional art-making.