Found-object art
Dada, Surrealism, Pop-art and Britart
What is “found-object art”?
• Found-object art is also known as “objet trouvé”,
“ready-mades” or “assemblage”
• Artists use everyday objects and assemble them into
new, non-functional sculptures
• This approach to sculpture emphasizes “art for art’s
sake” and is a deliberate questioning of the meaning
and purpose of art.
• Emphasizes aesthetic qualities of everyday objects
• Influenced the development of conceptual art
Origins
• The term “ready-made” or “objet trouvé” was
conceived and developed by Marcel Duchamp
(1887 – 1968) to describe his new approach to
sculpture.
• His first controversial sculpture which
embraced this approach was “Bicycle”
completed in 1913.
Marcel Duchamp “Bicycle”, 1913
Duchamp
“Fountain”, 1917
This sculpture was originally
rejected by the Society of
Independent Artists because it
was “not art”.
Dada
• Also known as Dadaism, this movement began
in Switzerland during WWI.
• Included the visual arts, poetry, literature and
even music
• Questioned the meaning of the modern world
through the arts and its “anti-art” stance
Man Ray
(Emmanuel Radnitzsky, 1890-1976)
“Gift”, 1921
Surrealism
• Evolved from Dada, beginning in the early
1920s
• Emphasized the subconscious, dreamlike
states of human thinking
• Influenced by the developing field of
psychoanalysis
• Movement encompassed literature, painting,
drawing, sculpture and poetry
Salvador Dali (1904-1989)
“Retrospective Bust of a Woman” 1933
Meret Oppenheim (1913-1985)
“Luncheon in Fur”, 1936
Pop-Art
• 1950s art movement
• Asserted that mass-produced objects were
indeed art, pushing the boundaries and
questioning the definitions of “fine art”
• In the US Andy Warhol was the most wellknown “pop-artist”
• Pop-art borrowed heavily from graphic and
industrial design
Andy Warhol (1928?-1987)
“Brillo Boxes”, 1964
Britart
• More a group of artists, rather than a
movement per se, Britart or the YBAs
emerged in the 1990s and used everyday
objects to develop the genre of concept art
• In concept or conceptual art the ideas behind
the art are almost more important than the
works’ aesthetics (or how the work looks).
Damien Hirst (1965-Present)
“The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of
Someone Living”, 1991
Questions
1. What other names are used to describe Found Object Art?
2. Who first brought the idea of using found objects as art into the public eye?
3. Duchamp’s “Bicycle” and “Fountain” were very controversial pieces because people thought
such “junk” couldn’t possibly be “art”. What do you think? Are these sculptures art? Why or
why not? Are they as controversial today as they were in the early 20th century? Why or why
not?
4. Man Ray was heavily involved with the Dada movement. Dada was known for being
completely nonsensical and frivolous. Many criticized the movement as not having enough
“meaning” behind the work. What do you think? Do you think there is any meaning behind
Man Ray’s work “the Gift”? Defend your answer.
5. Surrealism was known for illustrating odd, dreamlike states of mind. What sort of dream do
you think Salvador Dali and Meret Oppenheim were trying to (re)create with their works
“Retrospective Bust of a Woman” and “Luncheon in Fur”? Explain.
6. Pop Artists didn’t use found objects to create actual sculptures, but they used the designs of
everyday items as sources of inspiration. Do you think the Brillo logo that Warhol employs in
his piece creates an eye-catching sculpture? Why or why not?
7. Damien Hirst is one of the richest living artists in the world today. What do you think of his
sculpture of the shark? Is it worth the millions it fetched? Justify your answer.