Marcel Duchamp and the disappearing Art Object.

The development of Art from something to nothing.

“All art is completely useless.”

From “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, (1890), Oscar Wide (1854 – 1900).

“I’m useless and I’m also an illusion.”

“I’m getting out of here.”

Sometimes known as “trompe l’oeil”.

“But we made $250,000,000!”

At auction by Christies in 2013

“Anything the artist spits is art!”

Marcel Duchamp (1887 – 1968) artist and spitter.

“Once I was useful, but no longer!”

“The Fountain” signed “R. Mutt 1917” but really by Marcel Duchamp.

“We take away each other’s function!”

“Bicycle Wheel” also by Duchamp.

“Even if nobody knows what it was any more.”

Duchamp’s “Bottle Rack” 1913.

I’m not bricks, I’m “Equivalent No. 8”.

Carl Andre’s Minimalist sculpture (1966).

“No, you’re just a load of bricks!”

The British press reacts to the purchase of Carl Andre’s sculpture for the nation.

“This is just embarrassing!”

Tracey Emin exhibited this tent including the names of all the people she had slept with. (1995)

“Who left me like this?!”

Tracey’s Bed (1999).

“I’ll be going away soon.”

Willow Sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy.

“Me too.”

Unknown pavement artist.

“And me.”

Sand sculpture on the beach at Puri, India.

“It was just an idea …

Christo’s “Running Fence, Project For Sonoma and Marin Counties, California”, 1972 – 76.

“that went on and on and ..

… cannot be bought or sold.”

“Ideas can be true although men die..

Jason deCaires Taylor, Grenada, Caribbean.

.. and we can watch a thousand faces made active ..”

From “Here War Is Simple”, W.H. Auden, 1939.