Is it art? The works of Marcel Duchamp

The French-born artist Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) stirred controversy with his provocative pieces that questioned the very concept of what "art" actually is. Correspondent Rita Braver visits the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum for an exhibition of Duchamp's "readymade" pieces that blur the distinction between utilitarian object and high-priced museum piece.

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[barriegrubb]

Marcel DuChamp, Beatrice Wood & one other I can't remember began The DaDa Movement. Beatrice Wood lived to be over a 100 yrs old. She was a renowned ceramist, loved Trader Joe chocolates & young men. She wore saris with tons of silver jewelery. I met her in the mid-90s in Ojai, CA. Her studio is still there & worth the visit! Fascinating woman!!

[palelinda]

If the artist calls it art, then its art. No exceptions. Thanks for pushing the boundaries Marcel. One of the most important artists ever. RIP Rrose Selavy

[mililaniman]

Nude Descending A Staircase is a fascinating painting to look at. This story reminds me that art takes many different forms.

[CapnBlood]

Thank you to these generous people who share their beloved art collection and thoughts with the world : )

[bloatedsodium]

Art is one of the world’s biggest hustles. Watch The Price Of Everything, it’s ridiculous! 🖼

[ricobhi]

She's a mother of three. How many is *he* a father of?

In other words, why was her motherhood status relevant to recounting her résumé in this piece, but not his fatherhood status? I'm sure it wasn't meant to be nefarious, but why do we maintain this weird double standard in 2022?

[Engelhafen]

If you want to consider a urinal a work of art and give the credit to the ceramic maker

[nottart]

We can clearly see the parallels between Duchamp and NFTs. Both are not art.

[THEARTURLIVE]

He opened a door to con artists. He started anti art movement…The guy who sells blank canvases as work of art is an example…

[sfu]

"He's a personal injuring lawyer and she's a former school teacher and mother of three." Gathering he not a father of 3.

[susanlueem]

I love her glasses - 2 different lens shapes.

[RadMad]

The story of the artist and the art itself was interesting. The collectors came across as entitled and snobbish. Yes, they are collectors.

[paulwheeler]

You buy what you can afford...and apparently that's a lot. Is it art? That's exactly the question Duchamp was asking.

[madArt]

It’s a critique of the art market. It’s the emperor’s new clothes. It wasn’t meant to be “world changing”. But when there’s money to be made anything is everything unless you got no money then nothing is everything

[whynot]

it is worth what some sucker will pay for it

[JohnnyNiteTrain]

Doesn’t wanna be called a collector but admits she has a collection.

[hocultcha]

many years ago, when i was 19 i found a sculpture signed M. Duchamp and dated 1904 - when Duchamp was only 16. It even has a sticker on it from the school he was at in 1904 - Ecole Bossuet [i think]. it was a long time ago. I got to bring it to Philadelphia where i met Teeny Duchamp, Anne d'Harnencort [?], and Pontus Hulton who had just flown in from Paris. I'm pretty sure it's an interesting fake, but how many 19 yr olds got that experience? i'm blessed.

[hwizell]

Art is more than technique or medium
Intentions are another aspect
What may appear as vandalism on first blush
Becomes creative inference with the intention

[javierpacheco]

I like that ladies glasses, it's so awesome.

[butterflynotes]

Readymade = Dada and Surrealist definition by context and research done by Cheyla Bazan = human design particularly within the context of an or to emphasize "the" object itself. In other words, it can be ambiguous but within the movement itself, it refers to object made ready to be used. In essence Lolitas.

Toilet readymade symbolizes = 9 = 6 (69)(Gemini energy) Ref> Amanamonesia - Chairlift ; also urinal in shape of penis = male urinal therefore male peninsula pissing on readymades which means most males disregarding women.

I respect Duchamp in ways I can't explain or comprehend because if it weren't for his art I wouldn't be able to understand the minds, or mentality and perception of men, therefore allowing me to understand the male energy and how it itself is programmed and created. As well as understand how and what they think which makes it easy to identify who's who too.

Most of his work consisted of readymades and so much symbolism of the destruction of the opposite sex, much of which is very degrading to the 'bride' which is to assume is the opposite sex if not the vulnerable as seen in 'The bride being stripped by her Bachelorettes". The production itself is questionable and makes no sense as to why it's regarded as art but it's the message and the movement itself that speaks value.