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The Anti-Art Asylum: Dada's Zurich Rebellion

2.0 km84 min6 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into the shadows of 1916 Zurich, a neutral sanctuary surrounded by a continent tearing itself apart in World War 1. This is the story of how a group of desperate, exiled artists responded to the slaughter not with politics, but with absolute, weaponized absurdity. Discover the birthplace of Dada, where noise, nonsense, and anti-art were forged to dismantle the very logic of Western civilization. From smoke-filled cabarets to Lenin's doorstep, explore the paradox of a radical rebellion that ultimately became the high art it sought to destroy.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Café Odeon

The legendary intellectual incubator where exiled artists, writers, and revolutionaries gathered before Dada had a name.

Café Odeon

Pic by Schölla Schwarz on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.54 km • 8 min
2

STOP 2

Zunfthaus zur Waag

A historic guild hall where the first public Dada Soirée took place, marking the movement's explosive public debut.

0.45 km • 7 min
3

STOP 3

Cabaret Voltaire

The chaotic, sensory-overloading birthplace of Dada, where artists performed noise music and sound poetry to protest a world gone mad.

Cabaret Voltaire

Pic by Fred Romero on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

0.11 km • 2 min
4

STOP 4

Lenin's Residence

The modest apartment where Vladimir Lenin plotted the Russian Revolution, mere steps away from the Dadaists' artistic rebellion.

Lenin's Residence

Pic by JoachimKohler-HB on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.31 km • 5 min
5

STOP 5

Zentralbibliothek Zürich

The central library housing the Manuscripts Department, where the anti-archival artifacts of Dada are meticulously preserved.

Zentralbibliothek Zürich

Pic by Roland zh on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.61 km • 9 min
6

END

Kunsthaus Zürich

Zurich's premier art museum, representing the final irony: the ultimate anti-art movement preserved as priceless high art.

Kunsthaus Zürich

Pic by Manuelarosi on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Provocateurs, art history buffs, philosophers, and urban explorers drawn to the absurd and the avant-garde.
  • Best time Late afternoon to early evening, when the shadows lengthen in the Niederdorf and the café lights begin to glow.
  • Pacing Take your time. This tour is dense with ideas; pause the audio if you need a moment to reflect.
  • What to bring A pair of good headphones to fully immerse yourself in the soundscapes we describe.
  • Mind the narrow streets The Niederdorf district has narrow, winding alleys. Keep an eye out for cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Museum access The final stop is outside the Kunsthaus. Check their opening hours if you wish to see the Dada collection afterward.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Clara Vogt
Audio sample
0:000:00

Clara Vogt

  • Art, Design & Aesthetics
  • Portugal

Art and design lover. Discovers beauty in the everyday and connects street art, fashion, and architecture.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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