Marcel Duchamp / Caroline Cros ; translated by Vivian Rehberg.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cros, Caroline.

Series:

Critical lives

Language:

English

French

Subjects (All):

Duchamp, Marcel, 1887-1968.

Duchamp, Marcel.

Artists--France--Biography.

Artists.

France.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

196 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : Reaktion, 2006.

Summary:

Marcel Duchamp provides a fresh insight into one of the most notorious cultural figures of modern times, one who continues to inspire artists today. Drawing on the artist's correspondence and interviews, Caroline Cros details Duchamp's life-long belief in chance and coincidence, and shows how his constant search for the random in life was echoed in the art he created. He was always travelling, meeting people and embracing new experiences, a lifestyle that prevented him from following a conventional artistic career.

Cros explores works such as the ready-mades, The Large Glass and Etant donnes, explaining the creative processes behind them and discussing their critical reception. They were often ignored or underestimated during Duchamp's lifetime, although some artists, such as Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and Richard Hamilton, immediately understood the importance of these works. Just as significantly, Cros examines Duchamp's life after he stopped making art, which, considering his reputation, was remarkably early. After 1915 Duchamp divided his time between Paris and New York, eventually becoming an American citizen in 1955. Cros traces his involvement in a wide range of activities, including his obsessive fascination with chess, historical exhibitions, museums of modern and contemporary art, foundations, salons and publications, and examines his friendships and correspondence with the most influential artists, critics, collectors and writers of the time. Playful and subversive, and arguably the most important influence on the post-war art world in Europe and the USA, Duchamp is brought to life in Cros' insightful critical study.

Contents:

2 Marcel, this Sad Young Man on a Train 16

3 All Aboard for New York, 1915-18 37

4 Ready-mades, 1914-64 52

5 Collaborations 69

6 'Exhibiting - it's like getting married' 86

7 La Mariee mise a nu par ses celibataires, meme 107

8 Duplicating Works instead of Repeating Himself 121

9 Counselling 134

10 Art as Love/Eros for All 145

11 'Maria, (you have) finally arrived' 153

12 Parting Deeds and Words 163.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 175-196).

ISBN:

1861892624

OCLC:

60794989