written by Matthew Loyd
I recently went to see The Museum of Modern Art’s Marcel Duchamp retrospective, and it came at a time I think I needed it, or at least could have used it. To give you a slight peek behind the veil with me, I’ve been creatively on fire this year, but due to some financial setbacks and playing catch up with those, I’ve been starting to feel a bit burnt out. Living in New York City ain't no walk in Central Park, and even though it has so much to give and offer, it demands a lot. Marcel Duchamp’s retrospective was one I had been wanting to see all season, and on a whim I decided to go check it out, alone, and take it in at my own pace. I’m glad I did, because it offered me an intimate experience between the art and my own mind. I learned a lot about Duchamp, about art history, and about being an artist. Big up to the MoMA curatorial staff (shout-out Cindy) and the art historians that brought this whole thing together, you’ve got until the 22nd to see it.
Now, I am an artist yeah, but like I said earlier, I learned some new things about what even that is, or could be, from Duchamp through a zoomed out look at his career. 3 notes stood out to me, and I’ll go into detail on each one.
- Never ask for Permission
One thing Duchamp never did was ask for permission, or ruminate endlessly about if something he did or wanted to do made sense or was appropriate. I think we as artists in today’s time can get caught up in these different feelings and ideas, worrying about perfection for an online audience, or even making sure people get the message we are trying to communicate. Knowing Duchamp’s work, myself (and I’m sure almost everyone else who was hip) was there to see Fountain, the famous readymade of a urinal that you’ve probably seen on tons of subway ads by now. Come to find out, the original wasn’t there, only a replica, AND it was rejected when first submitted to a gallery. Another piece, L.H.O.O.Q. could be considered a meme over 100 years old at this point, simply defacing one of art history’s most recognizable faces, the Mona Lisa. Duchamp’s works have this air of “aii what if I just did this tho?” to ‘em that I really loved, and it unlocked the door to a room in my brain that might’ve closed long ago in my artistic journey– or one I potentially never knew was there in the first place.
- Do it Anyway, always be on Go
Duchamp’s Suitcases are a great example of “Do it Anyway”. No retrospective for your work? Make your own. Get the work in people’s faces, let them know who you are. Want to get your name out there, where you know people’s eyes and attention are at? Draw a mustache on the Mona Lisa, during the 400th anniversary of Da Vinci’s death. No materials for sculpture, can’t afford em? Make sculptures out of whatever, literally anything, and just engage yourself with the creative act. Why Wait? Time and time again, I meet artists and hear from homies of mine, “When I get X I will… Once Y happens I’ll finally…” Why wait? Need an opportunity, make your own or go out and find it.
- Explore Mediums, methods, opportunities, etc.
So I had NEVER known that Duchamp was also a GRAPHIC DESIGNER (he just like me fr!!!!!) and not only that, but his career spanned many mediums, opportunities and methodologies. Duchamp had a whole alter ego, Rrose Sélavy, who was an artist as well. He created fake brands under her name, did art projects, photoshoots, really just doing all types of stuff. Also being the father of modern readymade- the idea of repurposing non-art objects into an artistic context, so interesting. Why not? Try it all out.
Definitely go check out MoMA’s Marcel Duchamp before it closes this weekend. MoMA does free Friday nights, so go book your ticket for this Friday and check it out for yourself.
On View is 20XX Magazine’s Segment for running art exhibitions, galleries, and installments in New York City. We give our takes, you go make yours.
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