Caroline Tripodi, Fountain

Caroline Tripodi

Title: Fountain                                                           

Artist(s) / Architect(s): Marcel Duchamp                                                                                           

Date: 1917                                                                  

Period / Culture: Modern Art, Dada                        

Location: Philadelphia Museum of Art                      

Scale / Size: 12 x 15 x 18                                         

Materials: Urinal                                                       

Techniques: ready-made object, sculpture    

   

Subject Matter / Content:  This controversial image portrays a urinal that was purchased and altered by artist Marcel Duchamp in 1917. Duchamp turned the urinal on its side, presenting an alternate point of view, and he also gave it a different name, Fountain. In 1964, Duchamp remade the damaged Fountain and submitted the piece as sculpture to the Society of Independent artists, an organization that was supposed to be open to new forms of art. Duchamp believed that the most important component of artwork was the idea, and hoped that his discovery would be accepted by the jury. Unfortunately, his sculpture was rejected, but Fountain continues to be discussed and viewed by many as a revolutionary piece of art.

Symbolism Used (iconography): Duchamp’s Fountain is perhaps the most symbolic form of a toilet ever presented. He takes a simple piece of plumbing material, makes a few minor alterations, and transforms it into a piece of work that means something to the audience he is presenting it to. What does it mean? The position of the Fountain could also symbolize even the simplest objects being altered and turned upside down amidst World War 1.

Contextual Issues Relevant to the Work: -In 1917, when Duchamp created the original Fountain, the world was struggling through the First World War. World War 1 was one of the most destructive wars in history, and it affected the lives of everyone living during that time, including artists. Duchamp decided to portray the destruction and horrors of the war by altering the appearance of this urinal and turning it on its side. How do we know this? Is this definitive? Did Duchamp write about this? Or could you write that Duchamp may have portrayed the destruction and horrors of war... back this up with more research.

-During the time that Fountain was made, artists were beginning to expand from the traditional forms of art, and create odd, abstract works.  The Society of Independent Artists was formed so that artists could take risks and still have their artwork on display, however pieces of art, such as Fountain, continued to be rejected. Can his connection to the Dadaist artists be discussed here?

Formal Qualities of the Work (include Style here): -Duchamp’s method in Fountain is called appropriation. Appropriation involves taking a ready-made image or object and altering its appearance to create a new meaning. By taking a urinal and flipping it on its side, Duchamp is applying the idea of appropriation.

-The texture of Fountain appears to be cool and smooth. Although one cannot physically touch the piece of art, the texture can be applied by looking at its seemingly smooth surface, and also by knowledge of how toilet seats feel in general. There are also some ridges at the base of the sculpture, which will feel rough in comparison to the smooth surface of the rest of the object. This was an example of how to discuss texture in class, and may not be the most important element for this piece.

-The sculpture is also very symmetrically balanced. The holes in the center of the piece, which probably represent the drainage, are in the shape of a triangle with an equal amount of dots on either side. In addition, the large hole in the front of the sculpture where the pipe usually goes is balanced by the four holes at the top of the Fountain. The flaps on either side also add balance to the piece.

-The urinal has a light value and white color, which sharply contrasts the black holes in the center and the large black hole for the pipe. As a result, viewers eyes immediately are drawn to the black focal points, since they are surrounded by such a light value.

-Although a lot of these formal qualities were not intentional in the eyes of Duchamp since he purchased it ready-made, he still positioned the urinal strategically in order to emphasize certain aspects (what are these aspects? Describe in more detail).

Intended Audience: 
Society of Independent Artists
Modern Sculptors
The general public 

(Symbolic) Functions: Cause people to question what art can be- Can it be simply an idea?

Meaning: 
Reflect the effects of World War II in a piece of art 
Represents sculpture in a different way
Portrays art as simply an idea 


Related Themes: 
Unconventionality 
Impact of War 

Related Works: Bull's Head by Pablo Picasso 

Overall, good work, Caroline! A bit more research would be even better! Ms. H.W. :)