Activism and the Avante Garde

Away from traditional theatre, Bristol has built a reputation for experimental, multi-disciplinary arts. The term avante garde is perhaps a useful way to describe the scene. The avante garde has been a vehicle for artists to subtly or not explore contemporary politics. Burlesque, neo-burlesque, clowning and cabaret have been platforms for avante garde adventures.  The roots of the avante garde lie in a turning away from convention in the 19th and 20th centuries. Surrealism, absurdism, and Dadaism are among the artistic movements that expressed this search for an alternative perspective on life and art. Dadaism favoured irreverence, and spontaneity over rationalism and logic – after all these attributes were seen to have led to the wholescale slaughter of millions in the trenches.  

 2016 was the 100th anniversary of the Dada movement and some of Bristol’s most experimental performers including the critically acclaimed duo Desperate Men celebrated the anniversary through performance. However, performer producer Isadora Vibes felt with others that commentators rarely celebrated the role of female artists and thinkers in creating the movement. Not only this but they regarded Dada as the perfect vehicle for challenging gender tropes.   

The interview with Katie Grant (Isadora Vibes) describes her approach to feminism, art, and the journey of the short-lived, critically acclaimed cabaret performance night Dada for Girls.

Click here to listen to the interview on Soundcloud.