Fountain

Definition

Fountain refers to the iconic ready-made sculpture created by Marcel Duchamp in 1917, featuring a urinal turned upside down and signed with the pseudonym 'R. Mutt.' This piece challenged traditional notions of art, questioning what could be considered artistic value and authorship, and became a significant symbol for movements like Dada and Surrealism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fountain was initially rejected by the Society of Independent Artists in New York, showcasing the contentious relationship between established art institutions and avant-garde practices.
2. Duchamp's use of a common urinal as art emphasized the idea that context and presentation could redefine an object's meaning.
3. The piece has been interpreted as a critique of both consumer culture and the commercialization of art.
4. Fountain is often credited with igniting discussions about what constitutes art, paving the way for future movements like Conceptual Art.
5. Duchamp's work has had a lasting impact on contemporary art, influencing various styles and movements, particularly in questioning norms surrounding originality and artistic merit.

Review Questions

• How did Duchamp's Fountain redefine the concept of what constitutes art?
  • Duchamp's Fountain redefined art by presenting an everyday object—a urinal—as a piece of art simply by changing its context. This act raised questions about authorship, artistic intent, and the value assigned to art objects. It signified a shift from traditional techniques to an emphasis on ideas behind the artwork, influencing Dadaism and later movements that prioritized conceptual approaches to creativity.
• Discuss the relationship between Fountain and the anti-art sentiments prevalent in Dadaism.
  • Fountain embodies the anti-art sentiments central to Dadaism by challenging established norms and conventions surrounding art. It rejected traditional aesthetics and instead embraced absurdity and irony. By presenting a readymade object as art, Duchamp questioned not only artistic value but also societal definitions of beauty, reflecting Dada's broader rebellion against logic and reason following World War I.
• Analyze how Fountain influenced later movements like Conceptual Art and its implications for contemporary artistic practice.
  • Fountain's challenge to traditional views on art paved the way for Conceptual Art by prioritizing ideas over craftsmanship or aesthetics. This shift has profound implications for contemporary artistic practice; artists today often focus on concepts that provoke thought or challenge perceptions rather than creating visually pleasing works. Duchamp’s legacy encourages artists to explore identity, politics, and social issues through diverse media while maintaining that the notion of 'art' is fluid and subjective.

Related terms

Ready-Made: An art movement initiated by Duchamp, where everyday objects are designated as art, emphasizing the idea that the artist's intent defines the work rather than the object itself.

Dadaism: An avant-garde cultural movement that emerged in response to the horrors of World War I, characterized by its embrace of absurdity, anti-art sentiments, and a rejection of established norms.

Conceptual Art: An art form where the concept or idea behind the artwork is more important than the physical piece itself, often challenging traditional perspectives on creativity and artistic expression.