How did Marcel Duchamp influence art with his ‘Readymades’?
The renowned French-American painter and sculptor Henri-Robert-Marcel Duchamp left an indelible mark on the art world of the 20th century. Central to Duchamp's legacy are his readymade sculptures, a term he himself coined. These readymades were ordinary prefabricated objects that Duchamp skillfully modified and presented as works of art. Through this unique approach, he defied the traditional notion of art by stimulating the minds of viewers, encouraging active engagement and challenging observers to delve deeper into their own interpretations. Let’s take a closer look at some of Duchamp's famous readymades exploring the profound impact they had on the art industry.
The 4 roles of Duchamp’s readymades
1. They questioned what can be considered a piece of artwork
Duchamp breaks the boundaries by producing sculptures he claims to be artworks, challenging the existing definition of what art actually is.
2. They reframed the perspective of everyday objects
Duchamp actively cancelled the function of every-day objects by removing the use of the objects he chose to utilise. He did this by transforming the orientation of objects, combining everyday objects together, and in the case of ‘Fountain’ (1917) modifying them with a signature.
3. They questioned conventional notions of beauty in art
Should a good work of art have to be beautiful? Can an object like a urinal possess hidden beauty?
4. They challenged the idea that artists had to use traditional mediums to make art
Duchamp elevates the status of an ordinary object by presenting it with a new purpose and artistic territory beyond the confines of painting or traditional sculpture.
Figure 1: Fountain, 1917.
Now regarded as one of the most important pieces of art in the 20th Century, Fountain, (figure 1) is a urinal, which Duchamp slightly modified by signing it ‘R.Mutt’ and placing it on its back. Duchamp's selection of a urinal as a readymade artwork was a deliberate attempt to shock, challenge, and redefine the boundaries of art. It aimed to provoke discussions about the nature of artistic creation, the role of the artist, and the very definition of art itself. The combination of shock factor, the object's indecency, the title ‘Fountain’ and the conceptual underpinnings all contribute to the enduring impact and significance of this iconic artwork.
Duchamp's use of the pseudonym ‘R. Mutt’ was a strategic move that aligned with his broader artistic goals of challenging artistic norms, undermining traditional notions of authorship, and encouraging a shift in how art was conceived and understood. Moreover, this aligned with Duchamp’s belief in the de-emphasis of the artist's persona in favour of the idea and concept. It is also interesting to note that the word "Mutt" is a colloquial term for a mongrel dog, suggesting a mixing of different elements or identities. This could symbolise the blending of art and life, high and low culture, or the breaking down of traditional artistic boundaries.
Left - Figure 2: Bottle Rack, 1914. | Right - Figure 3: Bicycle Wheel, 1916-17.
Like Fountain, Bottle Rack (1914) was also transformed by orientation. However, what makes this piece of art different was that it was the first ready-made Duchamp produced that was completely unmodified. By presenting a mass-produced functional object as art, Duchamp blurred the boundaries between art and life, whilst simultaneously forcing viewers to reconsider their preconceptions about what constitutes art. It challenges the idea that art has to involve skillful craftsmanship, unique expression, or profound symbolism. Instead, this work suggests that the context in which an object is placed and the act of designating it as art are what define it as such.
Bicycle wheel (1916-17) also served as a form of an anti-art statement with its upside-down wheel. But in contrast to Fountain and Bottle Rack, this readymade was made up of two objects - an upside down metal bike wheel mounted upon a wooden stool. The most immediate aspect of the relationship is the visual contrast between the dynamic, spinning bicycle wheel and the static, unmoving wooden stool. This contrast creates a tension between motion and stasis, drawing attention to the inherent paradox of combining these two elements. The spinning bicycle wheel represents movement and change, while the stationary stool represents stability and stillness. This interplay between motion and stasis can be seen as a commentary on the passage of time, suggesting that art is a dynamic, ever-changing concept, which is highly influenced by the choices artists make.
Figure 4: L.H.O.O.Q, 1919.
L.H.O.O.Q is a readymade which showcased Duchamp’s humorous and sarcastic approach. It’s a postcard reproduction of Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous portrait of Mona Lisa, defaced by a moustache and goatee. Duchamp diminishes the ideal, feminine beauty that The Mona Lisa represents, by actively trespassing the boundaries of appropriation by presenting a sarcastic reproduction. This particular example stands out among Duchamp's readymades due to its direct intervention with an iconic artwork, its playful title and linguistic component, and its placement within a specific historical and artistic context. Also, this work was created in 1919, during a time when there was a period of significant experimentation and innovation in the art world, and Duchamp was at the forefront of these changes. The specific socio-cultural and artistic context of the time influenced how L.H.O.O.Q. was received and interpreted.
I think it is evident that Marcel Duchamp has had an immensely powerful impact on the development of art, and his work has highly influenced many of the artists that we see today. For example, in Maurizio Cattelan’s ‘America’, Cattelan adopted Duchamp’s principles, sharing his inclination toward pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Arguably, Tracey Emin could also have been influenced by Duchamp, as Emin has followed suit in creating provocative works that subvert from traditional artistic norms.
Overall, Marcel Duchamp's concept of ‘readymades’ played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary art that we see today by challenging traditional artistic norms, expanding the boundaries of creativity, and emphasising the importance of concept over craft.
Image List
Barthes, R.; Howard, R. (2020). Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography. Vintage Classics.
Figure 1: Duchamp, M. (1917) Fountain. Image: https://untappedcities.com/2021/06/14/duchamp-fountain-urinal/
Figure 2: Duchamp, M. (1914) Bottle Rack. Image: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/238749/bottle-rack-porte-bouteilles
Figure 3: Duchamp, M. (1916-17) Bicycle Wheel. Image: https://www.artsy.net/artwork/marcel-duchamp-bicycle-wheel
Figure 4: Duchamp, M. (1919) L.H.O.O.Q. Image: https://www.nortonsimon.org/art/detail/P.1969.094
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