The artwork titled “Strauss” by Hannah Hoch, created in 1965, is a figurative collage that aligns with the Dada art movement. The composition vividly illustrates Hoch’s innovative style and her significant contribution to the Dadaist aesthetic.
In the artwork, a multitude of eyes are intricately assembled within a bouquet-like structure, which seems to be placed in a vase. The eyes, derived from various sources, including photographs and magazines, are meticulously cut and arranged, creating a surreal and captivating visual experience. The background transitions from a lighter hue at the top to a darker one at the bottom, adding depth and focus to the central composition. The use of varying shapes, sizes, and colors of the eyes evokes a sense of multiplicity and fragmented perception, which is a hallmark of Dadaism. The vivid and diverse surrounding floral patterns, combined with the prominent presence of eyes, may symbolize the ubiquity and omnipresence of observation, reflecting on themes of surveillance and the multifaceted nature of human perspective. The artist’s initials, “H.H.,” are subtly placed in the bottom corner, marking the personal touch of Hannah Hoch.
