Monday, 25 April 2011

Marcel Duchamp's 'Green Box'

This work was shown quite out of the way given the artist's stature and notoriety, and I was surprised to come across a temporary work so tucked against a wall in what can only be described as a hallway, in comparison to the rest of the rooms housing the majority of works in the Reina Sofia. Obviously I do realise the fact that space is not infinite, but this is a master among masters, his ideas often represent what conceptualism and concept based art has grown from to become, he is seen by most (including myself) to be a leader in the field of changing peoples perception of what is art, and who's right it is to advocate such a title. He pushed boundaries, opened doors, and inspired so many, much more so than some of the artists seen in the Reina Sofia, and we see this singular defining piece of his work tucked back against a wall in a windowless hallway? I think this is a great injustice, and the Tate Modern should have thought twice about lending out such a prized possession.
It is quite easy to acknowledge my thoughts on Duchamp's work, and his quite frankly legendary status among some of the artists he is surrounded by in galleries whom appear as mere mortals. To see this in real life was indeed surreal, and something I'll never forget, given my partial anger of its location even when in the presence of wonder, I couldn't help but think it was an injustice. Either way, although it is quite often suggested by most that this is a catalogue of notes to help you understand the work it is the notation for (The Bride Stripped Bare by her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass), this is actually quite obviously a verbal, text based form of the piece, a way in which to view the piece through words and concepts, and not as the apparent finished product. For me, this is the final outcome, these 94 pages define the conceptual element of the piece, and therefore the piece itself.






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