Sunday, December 10, 2006

Marcel Duchamp

A urinal is placed on its side on a pedestal in an art gallery. “R. Mutt” is written in black dripping oil paint on one side. Visually, it is easy to understand. It is what it is. But this seems too simple, and so we search for clues. Why would this be art? What is the artist trying to communicate? The invisible dialog that "The Fountain" stirs up in the viewer is the beginning of conceptual art.
Duchamp’s urinal has caused us to consider and reconsider what art is for ninety years. Tracy Emin’s blasphemous tent with personal information listed with jean patching material does this too. Only now it’s female.

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