The Roles of Readymade and Found Object in Modern and Contemporary Art

Abstract

Challenging forms and contents of traditional art may be one of the most explicit definition of modern art. Since Marcel Duchamp’s “Bicycle Wheel” and “Fountain” inception, the art world embraced new medias and process such as readymade object, found object and assemblage as ways to confront traditional norms. Duchamp’s 180 degree overturned of male urinal and signed with pseudonym made one of the most controversial art scene in history. Numerous questions followed and debate started ever since. The media and process, on the other hand, helped opening art creation to every objects the artist encountered with. This article aimed to study the utility of readymade and found object in modern and contemporary art since early of the 20^th century. The methodology focused on the meaning of the artist’s usage of distinctive objects and materials in terms of socio-cultural context. The result of the study is that objects and materials used by artists are not only revealed criticism attitudes toward social situations but also criticism toward modern and contemporary art itself as well.