Found Object Art Movement: Discovering Beauty in the Mundane
Art has always been a medium for expressing one’s creativity and emotions. It is an avenue where artists can experiment, challenge, and break the norms to create something new and significant.
In the early 20th century, the Found Object Art Movement emerged, which took a revolutionary approach to the traditional concept of art. At its core, Found Object Art, also known as Ready-Made Art, is the incorporation of everyday objects into artworks.
It was a response to the growing sense of disillusionment and dissatisfaction with the conventions of traditional art. This movement aimed to challenge the definition and meaning of art, pushing the boundaries of what can be considered a work of art.
The Definition and Origins of Found Object Art
Found Object Art is defined as the use of everyday objects found by the artist to create or contribute to an artwork. The term Ready-Made art was coined by the French artist Marcel Duchamp in 1915, where he created his famous artwork, Fountain.
The artwork consisted of a urinal that Duchamp had purchased and signed with the pseudonym, R. Mutt.
He then submitted it to an exhibition, stirring controversy and raising questions about the definition of art. Duchamp’s Fountain encapsulated the essence of Found Object Art, where objects deemed commonplace and mundane are elevated into art.
This disruptive work paved the way for other artists to experiment with everyday objects, reimagining them as works of art.
Key Figures and Influences
Marcel Duchamp was a crucial figure in the development of Found Object Art, and his ideas influenced many artists’ works today. Duchamp, along with other artists such as Pablo Picasso, was influenced by the Dada movement, which rejected conventional artistic techniques and traditions.
The Dadaist movement embraced absurdity, anti-war sentiment, and humor, inspiring Found Object Art artists in their approach to art. Surrealism, another influential movement, also inspired Found Object Art.
Surrealist artists sought to explore the subconscious mind and dreams, often incorporating found objects into their artworks. The Pop Art movement, popularized in the 1950s and 60s by artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, used everyday objects such as Campbell’s Soup Cans and Coca-Cola bottles as inspiration for their works.
Types of Found Object Art
The Found Object Art movement encompasses various types, including the following:
Assemblage: An art form that involves creating a piece of artwork by combining various found objects and “assembling” them into a new form. Ready-Made: Artworks that use everyday objects as is, without any alteration, modification, or intervention.
Appropriation: An artistic technique that involves borrowing and incorporating images, objects, or styles from other artworks.
Principles of Found Object Art
Found Object Art has a few principles that artists follow to ensure their artworks meet the movement’s criteria. A few of these principles include:
Object Choice: Artists must choose an object that is mundane, commonplace or is usually not associated with art to be considered a Found Object.
Labeling: A Found Object must be labeled or signed by the artist to differentiate it from the original object. Unique Title: A Found Object must be given a unique name to convey its significance to the artwork.
In conclusion, Found Object Art is a movement that challenges traditional art practices, challenging the boundaries of what art can be. This movement has paved the way for artists to incorporate everyday objects in their artworks, imbuing them with new meanings and value.
By using common objects, artists have found beauty and meaning in the mundane and the ordinary, giving rise to a new appreciation of the world around us.
Notable Artists and Major Artworks in the Found Object Art Movement
Found Object Art is an art movement that has seen some of the most groundbreaking and controversial works in art history. It opened up new possibilities for artists to create unconventional works, making their mark in the art scene.
Here are some of the most notable artists and their major works that significantly contributed to the Found Object Art movement.
Marcel Duchamp and His Works
Marcel Duchamp was a French-American artist and writer who was a pioneer of the Found Object Art movement. He is best known for his work on the concept of Ready-Made Art, which is at the forefront of the movement.
Duchamp’s Fountain is one of the most iconic artworks of the Found Object Art movement. Created in 1917, it was a porcelain urinal that Duchamp purchased from a store.
He signed it with the pseudonym “R. Mutt” and submitted it to an exhibition, sparking controversy and debate about the nature of art.
Another notable work by Duchamp is Bicycle Wheel. It was created in 1913 and was the first work of art that incorporated a Ready-Made, where he combined the front wheel of a bicycle and a stool.
This work sparked interest from other artists, who began to experiment with combining everyday objects into their artworks. Bottle Rack, also known as Bottle Dryer, was created in 1914 and is a commonplace item used for drying bottles.
Duchamp rotated the rack so that it was presented as a sculpture, challenging pre-existing notions of what a work of art should be.
Other Notable Artists and Artworks
Salvador Dali was a Spanish surrealist painter whose Lobster Telephone, created in 1936, is a classic example of Found Object Art. The work consists of a telephone with the receiver replaced by a lobster.
This work highlights Dali’s fascination with the subconscious and the surreal, incorporating it into the everyday. Tracey Emin, a British artist, created an artwork in 1998 that sparked controversy.
Her work My Bed was a portrayal of her own bed, complete with stained sheets, used condoms, and alcohol bottles. The work was crude and challenged social norms, but it was also a powerful depiction of the artist’s life.
Controversy and Impact of Found Object Art
Found Object Art is known for its unconventional approach, often triggering controversy and debate. The movement has challenged pre-existing notions of what art is, leading some to adopt a skeptical view of its legitimacy.
However, the movement has also had a significant impact on the art world, fueling the development of other art movements and influencing popular culture.
Controversial Nature of Found Object Art
The Found Object Art movement has been controversial since its inception. Critics argue that the use of everyday objects goes against the traditional values of art, lowering the standards of the art world.
The use of Ready-Made Art has also invited questions about the role of the artist and their creative intent. However, proponents of the movement argue that it is the artist’s ability to imbue new meanings into everyday objects that make it valuable.
The artists’ choice of objects, particularly those deemed crude and offensive, also raises controversy and debate. The use of objects such as condoms, bottles, and other household items in artworks like My Bed brings to light the artist’s personal experiences and their connection to the real world.
Historical and Cultural Impact
The Found Object Art movement has had a significant impact on the art world, influencing popular culture and spawning new art movements. The movement influenced Pop Art, which emerged in the 1950s, and Fluxus, which started in the 1960s.
These movements were characterized by their focus on everyday objects and popular culture, bringing new perspectives to the art world. The Found Object Art movement also played a significant role in the development of Postmodernist Art, which started in the 1980s.
Postmodernist Art challenged the pre-existing notions of art and questioned the authority of the artist, similar to what the Found Object Art movement had done. In conclusion, Found Object Art has left an indelible mark on the contemporary art scene.
This movement challenged traditional art practices and opened up new possibilities for artists to create unconventional works. The controversy generated by the movement underscored its significance, prompting a reexamination of what art should be.
The Found Object Art movement’s influence on popular culture and contemporary art movements has been far-reaching, highlighting its place in art history.
Found Object Art Sculpture and the Use of Found Objects in Art
Found Object Art, also known as Ready-Made art, has paved the way for artists to create artworks using everyday objects that are readily available. This article will delve into Found Object Art Sculpture, the use of Found Objects in two-dimensional art, and the reasons behind this art movement.
Found Object Art Sculpture: Definition and Examples
Found Object Art Sculpture is a three-dimensional artwork created using found objects, whether ready-made or assembled. Artists use ordinary objects such as kitchen utensils, electronics, and other discarded objects to create sculptures that challenge conventional art.
These sculptures can be displayed in art galleries, public places, or even as outdoor artworks. One of the most recognizable Found Object Art sculptures is Pablo Picasso’s Bull’s Head, created in 1942.
The sculpture is made from a bicycle seat and handlebars, arranged in a way that forms a bull’s head. Another impressive sculpture is Robert Rauschenbergs Bed, created in 1955, which features a quilt, pillow, and other everyday objects.
Use of Found Objects in Two-Dimensional Art
Found Objects can also be incorporated into two-dimensional art, such as collages, photomontages, and mixed media artworks. Collage involves the use of paper materials such as newspaper clippings, photographs, and various cutouts assembled on a flat surface.
Photomontage, on the other hand, involves the combination of photographs or photographic prints to create a composite image. The use of found objects in two-dimensional art allows artists to create artworks that comment on societal issues, making a statement using everyday objects.
Reasons for Using Found Objects
Several reasons explain the use of Found Objects in creating artworks. Here are two of them:
Found Object Art as a Statement
Found Object Art often challenges conventional art, questioning what can be considered art and what cannot. Moreover, using consumer objects in artworks not only challenges traditional art but also critiques consumerism and mass production.
By using mass-produced items, artists create art that is accessible to everyone and not limited to the elite who can afford luxury art objects.
Societal Critiques through Found Objects
Found Object Art also allows artists to make statements and social critiques. For instance, Tracey Emins My Bed focuses on self-destruction and mental disorders, using objects such as cigarette butts, condoms, and alcohol bottles.
The artwork is a reflection of the social issues facing contemporary society, highlighting the importance of mental health. Also, the use of Found Objects in art pieces creates a commentary on societal values, exposing the often questionable and outdated beliefs held by society.
For example, the Lobster Telephone by Salvador Dali subverts the meanings of the objects, creating new meanings that subvert the perceivable usual ones. In conclusion, Found Object Art has revolutionized contemporary art, challenging traditional practices and questioning the definition of art.
Found Object Art sculpture, as well as the incorporation of found objects in two-dimensional art, is a manifestation of the concept. The use of Found Objects in creating contemporary art allows artists to make statements and social critiques, offering a commentary on societal values and issues.
Found Object Art is an art movement that continues to inspire and influence artists, impacting the art world over time. In conclusion, Found Object Art has revolutionized the art world by challenging conventional practices and expanding the definition of art.
Through the use of everyday objects, artists have created sculptures and two-dimensional artworks that make powerful statements and social critiques. Found Object Art has influenced contemporary art movements, sparked controversy, and questioned societal values.
It encourages us to see the beauty and meaning in the mundane, ultimately reminding us that art can be found everywhere if we are willing to look closely. Let this art movement inspire us to think outside the box and find creative and unconventional ways to express ourselves.