Hannah Hoch

Hannah Hoch originally named Anna Therese Johanne Hoch was born in Germany November 1, 1889. In college, she studied glass design and graphic arts. During World War I, she quit school to work with the Red Cross. A year later she returned to school and became close to Raoul Haussman, a member of the Berlin Dada movement. This was how Hannah became involved in the movement. Her work in a handicrafts department helped to create a unique style for her art as she so often used embroideries. Hoch along with Haussman is credited with having created the photomontage style. Photomontage is the process of cutting parts of different photographs to make one thing. Her artwork explores feminism, androgyny and oftentimes bisexuality. She was known to have several relationships with women and men, including Raoul Haussman.

Hannah Hoch “Grotesque.” Here she is challenging the gender roles of men and women. It can also be seen as men walking in women’s shoes and perhaps trying to persuade them to support women’s rights. The use of red at the top gives me the impression that power will be equality spread amongst men and women.

This photomontage is called “Das Schone Madchen,” which means The Beautiful Girl in German. The girl with the bathing suit is the focal point of the picture. She has a light bulb attached to her head which says to me that Hoch is saying “Women can have their own ideas.” The machinery in the background tells the viewer the time period which is obviously during European industrialization.

Dada Panorama was created in 1919.  This artwork is much different from the others. It represents different point of views. I think this because everything is placed away from each other and not in a unified message like the others. I see the German word “Gegen,” which stands for against. I believe that this picture is showing the humiliation of the Germans after the First World War because of the way the men at the top are dressed, in their underwear. It looks to me that there are men lying sideways at the top left which symbolizes the fall of Germany. Then towards the bottom, I see the army men which signify the Germany’s pride.

Hannah Hoch’s artwork mainly focuses on individuals or groups and how society affects them.