M. Duchamp and His Toilet

by Eric Brown

It was shortly after the turn of the 20th century. The world seemed renewed, ending the Industrial age and moving into the age of autos, flight, and major art movements; the like of which had not been seen. People were changing, society was changing, social standards were changing. It was a time flapper girls, organized crime, and art activism.

Studying the past is as important to social activism as is being knowledgeable about current social goings on. And in light of the current happenings in the world (i.e., war torn Africa, the Iraq invasion, China’s horrible reaction to events in Tibet), I thought this would be an exceptional time to reflect on the past.

Back in the day (to quote the youngsters), there was the Renaissance, then there was the Neo-Ren; there was the sixties, with people like Lennon and Warhol. I struggle to come up with one name like that today, save those attempting to capitalize on the horrors of the world.

Accidental Activist

1900 France, a young boy had aspirations of being an artist. And with family that sports professions like painter, sculptor, printmaker, who could blame him? Marcel Duchamp did not set out to be an activist, though. Little did he know that this is exactly what would thrust him into the history books forever.

Duchamp began working in styles that closely resembled the Post-Impressionist styles of the day and even worked some in the Cubist styles developed by Picasso and Braque.

Duchamp became renowned as a painter (see: Nude Descending a Staircase) which, I think provided him insight for his later actions. Even at early ages, Duchamp began to realize that there was something wrong with the world he was in. Not just the world itself, but how it was affecting art.

The discussion what makes art art was being debated in the upper echelons of aristocratic circles. People began to force certain determinations on art, even though they were not artists themselves.

So what did Duchamp do at this point?

After having been involved with the Dada movement in Europe, M.D. headed west. Once in the United States, he challenged the definition of what makes art art. It was his opinion that whether or not something was “art” or not was not determined by the public, but the artist.

Challenging the very nature of accepted realities that people have determined are solid and real is a difficult task. Duchamp’s approach was simple, shocking to a common degree, but a perfect way to break through the sensibilities of the time. So what did he do?

He took a urinal, turned it upside down, wrote the name R. Mutt on it, called it “Fountain“, and exhibited it as art. The piece was exhibited at the Society of Independent Artists show in 1917 under the name R. Mutt.

There are many interpretations about why he chose the name R. Mutt. Duchamp has been quoted later as saying:

“Mutt comes from Mott Works, the name of a large sanitation equipment manufacturer. But Mott was too close, so I altered it to Mutt, after the daily cartoon strip Mutt and Jeff which appeared at the time, and with which everyone was familiar. Thus, from the start, there was an interplay of Mutt: a fat little funny man, and Jeff: a tall thin man…I wanted any old name. And I added Richard (French slang for moneybags). That’s not a bad name for a pissotiere. Get it? The opposite of poverty. But not even that much, just R. Mutt.”

From there Duchamp went on to do many other things, but the point here is the statement he made with one fell swoop; one that took nearly no money, objects, political contacts.

Marcel Duchamp was an artist. But what made him great was his ability and willingness to challenge the social norm, to shove in the face of those in “control” that he wasn’t willing to conform; that he had a voice that mattered and that was expressed through his art his way.

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

“Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action to bring about social or political change. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument.”

Activism doesn’t have to come in the form of political outrage or an anti-war movement; it comes in many forms, doesn’t have to be about death, horror, or racial atrocities, can be about social injustice that gets swept under the carpet amidst all the propaganda about current events of the world. It can come from the simple fact that one sees something wrong with the world and has the gumption to stand up and illustrate an idea that says, “This isn’t right.”

Robert F. Kennedy once said:

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope”

Well, what are you waiting for? Register with The Free Articulator and give power to your voice for Peace March 20, now.

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If you'd rather we did all the hard work, you're in luck. Here's a list of articles that are related to this one:

• An idea whose time has come — Engender Truth
• 30 Years vs. 30 Days: A Battle Lessig Had to Turn Down to Win His War
• Creativity and conflict
• Integrating Sculpture Materials in Drawing
• The Points of the Creative Artists’ Code: Twenty - Create what interests and inspires you