Marcel Duchamp | HOW TO SEE “Readymades” with MoMA curator Ann Temkin

Summary

Marcel Duchamp's innovative concept of 'readymade' art challenged traditional artistic norms by redefining what constitutes art. He believed that the artist's intellectual process was more significant than aesthetic appeal or technical skill. Duchamp's work influenced future art movements like Pop, Minimal, and Conceptual art, prompting viewers to question the nature of art itself.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Duchamp's ambition was to redefine the concept of being an artist, not just to improve his painting skills.
• 🛠️ The 'readymade' was Duchamp's groundbreaking idea, where he could select everyday objects and declare them art.
• 🚴‍♂️ Duchamp's first readymade involved a bicycle wheel and a kitchen stool, challenging traditional artistic skills.
• 🌐 The notion of the artist as a skilled creator was disrupted by Duchamp's approach.
• 🖼️ Duchamp transitioned from impressionist to cubist paintings before embracing the concept of 'readymades'.
• 🤔 The titles of Duchamp's readymades were integral to the artwork, often provoking thought and discussion.
• 🧠 Duchamp emphasized that 'readymades' were about the artist's intellectual contribution, not aesthetics.
• 👀 He criticized 'retinal art', suggesting it was superficial and wanted to move beyond visual appeal.
• 🗣️ Duchamp's work inspired future generations, including pop, minimal, and conceptual artists.
• ❓ Duchamp's art continues to provoke questions about what constitutes art, achieving his goal of challenging assumptions.

Q & A

What was Duchamp's great ambition?

Duchamp's great ambition was to redefine the concept of what it means to be an artist, rather than just being a better artist.

What is the concept of 'readymade' in art?

A 'readymade' is an ordinary object chosen by the artist and presented as a work of art. Duchamp's idea was that he could select an item from a store and call it art.

What was Duchamp's initial approach to art before the 'readymade' concept?

Initially, Duchamp was a painter, starting with impressionist pictures and then moving on to cubist paintings after Picasso's influence.

What was Duchamp's motivation behind creating 'readymades'?

Duchamp questioned the necessity of being a skilled painter or sculptor and wanted to challenge the traditional notions of art, skill, and inspiration.

What is an example of one of Duchamp's 'readymades'?

An example of Duchamp's 'readymade' is a bicycle wheel mounted on a kitchen stool, which he would rotate from time to time.

What was the significance of the title 'In Advance of the Broken Arm' for one of Duchamp's works?

The title 'In Advance of the Broken Arm' was part of the artwork itself, suggesting a conceptual approach to art where the title contributes to the meaning.

How did Duchamp view the role of aesthetics in his 'readymades'?

Duchamp maintained that 'readymades' were not about aesthetics but rather about the artist's intellectual contribution and the concept behind the work.

What did Duchamp mean by calling painting 'retinal art'?

By calling painting 'retinal art,' Duchamp was suggesting that traditional painting focused too much on visual appeal and the act of seeing, rather than on intellectual engagement.

What is the significance of the work 'Why Not Sneeze, Rose Sélavy?'

The work 'Why Not Sneeze, Rose Sélavy?' is a 'readymade' consisting of a birdcage with various objects, representing Duchamp's female alter ego and challenging conventional art norms.

Why did Duchamp create re-editions of his 'readymades' in the '40s, '50s, and '60s?

Duchamp created re-editions of his 'readymades' because few originals survived, and his work gained renewed interest among younger artists like Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg.

How did Duchamp's 'readymades' influence the art movements of the 1960s?

Duchamp's 'readymades' influenced art movements like pop art, minimal art, and conceptual art by emphasizing the importance of the artist's idea and decision over craftsmanship and physical creation.