Found objects

Definition

Found objects refer to everyday items that are repurposed or incorporated into artwork, often transforming their original context and meaning. This concept emerged prominently in the mid-20th century, particularly within the Neo-Dada and Pop Art movements, where artists sought to challenge traditional notions of art by embracing consumer culture and the mundane aspects of life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Robert Rauschenberg was a pioneer in the use of found objects, creating works like 'Bed' that incorporated everyday materials, blurring the line between painting and sculpture.
2. Jasper Johns utilized found objects in his art to challenge perceptions of representation, often incorporating flags, maps, and numbers that resonated with American identity.
3. Andy Warhol's use of found objects extended to his silkscreen techniques, where he reproduced consumer products like Campbell's Soup cans, elevating them to the status of fine art.
4. The incorporation of found objects allows artists to critique consumerism and reflect on societal values by presenting familiar items in unfamiliar contexts.
5. Found objects in Neo-Dada and Pop Art challenged traditional artistic techniques, emphasizing spontaneity, chance, and the blurring of high art with popular culture.

Review Questions

• How did found objects influence the artistic practices of Rauschenberg and Johns?
  • Found objects played a crucial role in the works of Rauschenberg and Johns as they sought to redefine art by incorporating everyday materials into their creations. Rauschenberg's use of items like bedsheets and newspapers in pieces such as 'Bed' emphasized the connection between art and daily life. Similarly, Johns utilized found objects like flags and maps to challenge traditional representation and evoke a sense of American identity, pushing viewers to reconsider what art can encompass.
• Discuss the significance of the ready-made concept in relation to found objects within Neo-Dada and Pop Art movements.
  • The concept of ready-mades significantly influenced how artists viewed found objects within Neo-Dada and Pop Art. By designating everyday items as art, artists like Marcel Duchamp laid the groundwork for future generations to explore similar ideas. Rauschenberg and Warhol built upon this by integrating commercial products and common materials into their artworks, challenging the notion of originality and elevating the mundane to a new level of significance within contemporary art.
• Evaluate how found objects reflect societal values and attitudes during the rise of Pop Art.
  • Found objects in Pop Art reflect the societal values of consumerism and mass production that characterized the mid-20th century. Artists like Warhol used everyday items like soup cans to comment on the prevalence of consumer culture while also critiquing its impact on individuality and artistic expression. By repurposing familiar products into high art, these artists highlighted the tension between commercialism and authenticity, prompting audiences to rethink their relationship with consumer goods and their meanings in society.

Related terms

Assemblage: A three-dimensional artistic composition made from putting together found objects and materials, creating a new form that highlights the original items' significance.

Ready-made: An art term coined by Marcel Duchamp for ordinary manufactured objects designated by the artist as art, emphasizing the artist's intention over craftsmanship.

Pop Art: A movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by its focus on popular culture and consumerism, often using imagery from advertisements, comic strips, and everyday objects.