L.H.O.O.Q is a particularly subversive work, from a particularly subversive movement, dada-ism. In purposefully “desecrating” a the Mona Lisa, a work that is considered the pinnacle of traditional Western art, Duchamp makes a very strong commentary on the ridiculousness of traditional art, which is very reflective of some of the core values stated in the Dada Manifesto. L.H.O.O.Q rebels against the strict confines of Western art by making a parody of it, in the same way that the Dada Manifesto can be read as a call to arms against the strict codes of Western society. These two ideas go hand in hand with one another, making L.H.O.O.Q particularly symbolic of the Dada movement itself. Personally, as difficult as it can be to digest at times, I like the Dada movement. I like that it forces me to think in a way that most traditional art does not. That being said, I do believe traditional art does carry value, but that does not mean that I don’t think there is room to rebel against it. I also think Dadaism when viewed as a historical reaction to the senseless carnage of WW1 makes a lot of sense. I like the ways in which Dada confronts us and forces us to question some of our most deeply held beliefs.