The Man: Marcel Duchamp

Since this blog's name is taken from the title of one of his works and this being the first post, I find it only logical to write a short biography about the man, Marcel Duchamp, and a brief description of his major works. I will include sources, links and suggestions for further reading.

Welcome!

In 1917, Marcel Duchamp took a urinal, turned it upside down, placed it on a pedestal and called it, “Fountain” (orig. Fontaine). This was one of the many objects that he selected and by tilting, repositioning, or joining it with another, and later signing it, he had transformed the initial industrial-made object, which he called “ready-made,” into something else: a work of art. The use of a urinal, however, raised many eyebrows. The work raised many questions about what is art and what constitutes as art. He forever challenged us to view objects and artifacts in a different light. He tore down the established academic opinions of how and where art is and should be perceived today. Duchamp wanted to challenge our thinking, our view and understanding of art, and the way how “art” comes to be.

My hope with this magazine blog is to bring about a discussion on contemporary works of art, design, and film that are or considered radical, innovative, and "unsettling." I will also focus on taboos and other challenging issues in our culture. The point is not to antagonize but to come to an understanding of that that is different, foreign or unusual.

I want to thank you for visiting this blog and I look forward to reading and replying to your comments. You may write in English, Español, Italiano or Português. I hope that you will make this blog among your favorites.

Thank you,

Holger Romero-Peragallo
Editor