The Magnificent Marcel Duchamp

The reading on Marcel Duchamp begins with him describing artists as "mediumistic beings" meaning that "they do not know what (they) are doing or why (they) are doing it" (Reader, 9). Although many artists at this time and today disagree with Duchamp's approach, I find it impossible not to consider this definition. Duchamp specialized in contemporary art and although he never identified with a specific movement, he influenced many including Dadaists, Futurists, and Pop Artists. Duchamp was the first to introduce the idea of readymades as art or as Andre Breton explains, "manufactured objects promoted to the dignity of objects of art through the choice of the artist." His work such as The Fountain, Bicycle Wheel, and Bottle Rack were very controversial in terms of more "traditional art" which many people were accustomed to. The problem many see with readymades is in finding their significance in being more than what they are. It was Duchamp's point however, to cause these questions to arise and reshape the relationship between artist and audience. Duchamp made it a point to decrease and almost mock the "value" of artists. In this way, observers could attribute their own meaning to the works of art even if they never think it is anything more than a signed, upside-down urinal. Duchamp's influence was immense no matter how he tried to "minimize" it. His playful approach toward tradition broadened the definition of art. He advocated less interpretation by the artists themselves instead allowing the observers to attribute their own meaning and narratives to each work of art, no matter if they liked it or not.

The Fountain

 Bicycle Wheel

 Nude