16 Jan Readymades and Appropriation Art

ART105 Introduction to Visual Art

Module 9 Discussion

Readymades and Appropriation Art

Carefully read the sections in Chapter 11 on Marcel Duchamp and readymades and on Sherrie Levine and appropriation art. Duchamp’s readymades were revolutionary because they shifted the definition of art from a skillfully hand-made object to art as idea or concept. Duchamp’s concept of the readymade has had a profound impact on contemporary art—a 2004 survey of over 500 artists, museum curators, art dealers, and critics voted Fountain the most influential work of modern art ever created. Those that voted most overwhelmingly for Fountain were the artists themselves.

In 1991, artist Sherrie Levine made Fountains after Duchamp. In a sense, Levine has appropriated an appropriation, since Duchamp himself had appropriated the Mott Plumbing Company, who mass-manufactured the urinal in Fountain to begin with. Your textbook says that Levine’s work is meant to question artistic ideas like authorship and originality. How does Fountains After Duchamp do this? What other notions does Levine’s piece bring up or challenge? (You may use the internet to research Levine’s ideas, but be sure to cite your sources.)

Your initial response is due Wednesday, at midnight. Be sure to reply to two other students by Sunday, at midnight.