Found-object art

Dada, Surrealism, Pop-art and Britart

What is “found-object art”?

• Found-object art is also known as “objet trouvé”, “ready-mades” or “assemblage”

• Artists use everyday objects and assemble them into new, non-functional sculptures

• This approach to sculpture emphasizes “art for art’s sake” and is a deliberate questioning of the meaning and purpose of art.

• Emphasizes aesthetic qualities of everyday objects • Influenced the development of conceptual art

Origins

• The term “ready-made” or “objet trouvé” was conceived and developed by Marcel Duchamp (1887 – 1968) to describe his new approach to sculpture.

• His first controversial sculpture which embraced this approach was “Bicycle” completed in 1913.

Marcel Duchamp “Bicycle”, 1913

Duchamp “Fountain”, 1917

This sculpture was originally rejected by the Society of Independent Artists because it was “not art”.

Dada

• Also known as Dadaism, this movement began in Switzerland during WWI.

• Included the visual arts, poetry, literature and even music

• Questioned the meaning of the modern world through the arts and its “anti-art” stance

Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzsky, 1890-1976)

“Gift”, 1921

Surrealism

• Evolved from Dada, beginning in the early 1920s

• Emphasized the subconscious, dreamlike states of human thinking

• Influenced by the developing field of psychoanalysis

• Movement encompassed literature, painting, drawing, sculpture and poetry

Salvador Dali (1904-1989)“Retrospective Bust of a Woman” 1933

Meret Oppenheim (1913-1985)“Luncheon in Fur”, 1936

Pop-Art

• 1950s art movement • Asserted that mass-produced objects were

indeed art, pushing the boundaries and questioning the definitions of “fine art”

• In the US Andy Warhol was the most well-known “pop-artist”

• Pop-art borrowed heavily from graphic and industrial design

Andy Warhol (1928?-1987)“Brillo Boxes”, 1964

Britart

• More a group of artists, rather than a movement per se, Britart or the YBAs emerged in the 1990s and used everyday objects to develop the genre of concept art

• In concept or conceptual art the ideas behind the art are almost more important than the works’ aesthetics (or how the work looks).

Damien Hirst (1965-Present)“The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of

Someone Living”, 1991

Questions

1. What other names are used to describe Found Object Art?2. Who first brought the idea of using found objects as art into the public eye? 3. Duchamp’s “Bicycle” and “Fountain” were very controversial pieces because people thought

such “junk” couldn’t possibly be “art”. What do you think? Are these sculptures art? Why or why not? Are they as controversial today as they were in the early 20th century? Why or why not?

4. Man Ray was heavily involved with the Dada movement. Dada was known for being completely nonsensical and frivolous. Many criticized the movement as not having enough “meaning” behind the work. What do you think? Do you think there is any meaning behind Man Ray’s work “the Gift”? Defend your answer.

5. Surrealism was known for illustrating odd, dreamlike states of mind. What sort of dream do you think Salvador Dali and Meret Oppenheim were trying to (re)create with their works “Retrospective Bust of a Woman” and “Luncheon in Fur”? Explain.

6. Pop Artists didn’t use found objects to create actual sculptures, but they used the designs of everyday items as sources of inspiration. Do you think the Brillo logo that Warhol employs in his piece creates an eye-catching sculpture? Why or why not?

7. Damien Hirst is one of the richest living artists in the world today. What do you think of his sculpture of the shark? Is it worth the millions it fetched? Justify your answer.