Voices of Dada is part of popular series of archive audio CDs exploring 20th century avant-garde and modern art. The album features interviews and phonetic poetry by six leading figures from the Dada movement, active between 1916 and 1923. Most of the material is in the English language. You can check it out here.

Most but not all – below you could hear a rare recording taken from this album of Hans Arp contributes Dada-sprüche, speaking in German. This disc compiles key interviews and phonetic poetry pieces which sum up the Dadaist movement quite appropriately.

Born in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, Jean (Hans) Arp was classified as an enemy alien by Germany when war broke out in 1914, and the following year took refuge in Switzerland. Arp was involved in Zurich Dada from the outset, and like many of his fellow Dadaists was an acknowledged talent in both literature and the visual arts. When Hugo Ball opened the doors of the Cabaret Voltaire on 5 February 1916, Arp had designed the décor, and later performed his eccentric, humorous poems onstage.

Two themes dominate Arp’s work within Dada: collaboration with other artists, and the creative possibilities afforded by chance.

Now, you can visit a major retrospective of Hans Arp’s work in the Kröller-Müller Museum. The exhibition “ARP: THE POETRY OF FORMS” is a unique opportunity for lovers of art and poetry. It presents the interaction between both of them and shows the particular humour in artist’s works.

Find out more: