the elephant in the room

There is a very important work of art that I have not yet mentioned. It changed the course of modern art, and its creator continued to be a quiet presence in the art world. Marcel Duchamp's Fountain (1917) was literally the urinal heard 'round the world. It is a classic work of art, and one that you need to understand in order to analyze much of what came afterward. In a way, it helps to justify conceptual art.

Fountain was entered into the Society of Independent Artists exhibit, which announced that it would show any artist's work. Duchamp signed the urinal "R. Mutt" so that the art world would not recognize the well-known artist. It was hidden from view during the exhibit and caused quite a bit of controversy. At the time, ready-made art was a new concept, and it brings up issues of plagiarism. In addition to the fact that urinals were considered vulgar objects.

In defense of the work an anonymous editorial was published, which stated "Whether Mr. Mutt made the fountain with his own hands or not has no importance. He CHOSE it. He took an article of life, placed it so that its useful significance disappeared under the new title and point of view – created a new thought for that object."

Duchamp shifted the focus of art from technique to intellectual meaning. Now, the artist could elevate any object to art merely by selecting it. These were not random selections, however. The choice of a urinal poses some interesting questions (was it used? answer - no.) and brings to light the idea that something banal and common can be art. In actuality, the plumbing and engineering required for this device makes it quite advanced and in a sense, artistic. Arguments can be made either way, but it is the origination of the idea that "it is art if I say it is."