Art Criticism

 

"In Advance of the Broken Arm"

Marcel Duchamp's very first in his series of “Readymades” is known as “In advance of the broken arm”. It is quite simply an antique snow shovel with the title of the piece as well as the words “from Marcel Duchamp 1915” painted on. It is said that these readymades are purposely absurd, that it was the intention of the artist to elevate an otherwise ordinary object to the status of a piece of art merely because it was the artists choice.

It represents the little interaction between the artist and the piece and there in lies the problem. Duchamps collection of found objects or “readymades” marks a shift in thinking, it stretches the definition of what a piece of art should or can be.

The answer is simple, a piece of art should be something the artist has taken time and effort to create. It simply cannot be something that is found, scribbled on, and hung on a wall for all to see. “In advance of the broken arm” should not be viewed as a piece of art but instead a critique of art and the vast ambiguity that pertains to the process of creating and presenting art.

I don't think it was Duchamp's intention for his readymades to be hailed as great works of art but over the course of time they now have been. Duchamp deserves all the credit in the world for presenting an object that evokes conversation about what truly is art and what it means to create it but at the end of the day no effort was put into the creation of the object itself.

Why then are Duchamp's readymades or reproductions so prevelant in art museums, the public over time has warped the perception of these pieces and Duchamp's initial message of anti-art associated with these found objects. It is not the fault of Duchamp but that of the public that has failed to see these pieces as the critique of art that they truly are.

"The Big Three at the Yalta Conference"

The picture is imfamous, three men, all from completely different cultures and backgrounds, dressed in a style that is native to their respective homelands, united by the fact that they are leaders of their vastly different nations. Taken near the end of World War II the photograph has a very staged feel while at the same time posessing a candid nature. The three leaders look off in different directions begging the question of what at that particular moment in time each of the men must be thinking, not only about the events preceeding the Yalta conference but the many descions yet to be made.

Men of all three nations converse in the background carelessly, many smiling and appearing to have a good time. It is also important to note the fact that the three powerful leaders all sit while the men around them stand, most likely because of Roosevelts boutwith polio that rendered him unable to stand unassisted but it adds so much to the composition of the photo that while the men around them talk and interact with eachother, the three most important men in the room share a moment to themselves.

The photo from a technical standpoint is nothing to write home about. Parts of Churchill and Roosevelts heads are very overexposed and the color is so washed out that the the red on Stalin's hat and collar pop out and immediately catch the viewers eye.

All is forgiven though, the technical shortcummings in this photo are merely an after thought. When you look hard at it it's hard not to admire the event and the fact that photos like this simply are not taken anymore. Such iconic leaders, at such a pivotal point in human history sitting around casually among their most trusted men. It is photos like this that define the World War II era, promoting these men to the status of legends, and it is rare when three legendary leaders from the three most powerful nations at the time sit and enjoy a moment of peace together.