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Discussion Unit 1

This is an Art History Assignment from the University of the People. This Discussion Unit 1

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10 views

Discussion Unit 1

This is an Art History Assignment from the University of the People. This Discussion Unit 1

Uploaded by

abelkakraba
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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"Fountain" is a ready-made artwork created by Duchamp in 1917 (Tate, n.d.).

It consists of a
urinal, turned on its back and signed with the pseudonym "R. Mutt." (Tate, n.d.). This piece
challenges the conventional understanding of art by presenting an everyday object as an artwork,
questioning the role of the artist and the importance of aesthetic value (Tate, n.d.).

The visual qualities of "Fountain" lie in its subversive use of form and context (Tate, n.d.).
Duchamp deliberately selected a mass-produced object, removed it from its intended function,
and placed it within the realm of art. By doing so, he raised questions about the value and
meaning of art, as well as the role of the artist as a creator (Tate, n.d.).

In terms of formal elements, "Fountain" does not rely on traditional notions of line, shape, color,
or space to convey its artistic message. Instead, it relies on the idea of conceptual art, where the
concept or idea behind the artwork takes precedence over its visual form. The act of selecting the
urinal, recontextualizing it, and presenting it within a gallery setting challenges the viewers'
preconceived notions of what constitutes art (Tate, n.d.).

Here is an image of "Fountain" by Marcel Duchamp:

It's important to note that the significance of "Fountain" lies not in its visual qualities in the
traditional sense but rather in its conceptual framework. Duchamp's intention was to provoke
intellectual and philosophical discussions about the nature and definition of art, making
"Fountain" a seminal work in the history of modern art (Tate, n.d.).

References:

Tate. (n.d.). “fountain”, Marcel Duchamp, 1917, replica 1964. Tate.


https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/duchamp-fountain-t07573

Belton, R. J. (n.d.). Art History: A Preliminary Handbook. The University of British Columbia,
Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. https://fccs.ok.ubc.ca/student-resources/arth/

 Read Sections “What is Art” and “The Elements of Art”

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