Browsing by Author "Liske, Neil James"
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Item Embargo Unique individualism of Marcel Duchamp as illustrated in his life and art(1970) Liske, Neil James; Dodd, Eric M.The purpose of this thesis is to illustrate that the life-style and art of Marcel Duchamp is unique in his development in relation to modern society. Trends that were set in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are important background to Marcel Duchamp's work. Writings in literature, politics, philosophy, and the natural sciences contributed important discoveries and insights into the way man was living and developing because of industrialization. The arts, however, lagged behind in fully comprehending and utilizing the new elements within this rapidly changing process. By the turn of the twentieth century artistic reactions were developing against limited areas of society, but the majority of this work was still done in a traditional framework. Marcel Duchamp was among the few who made a very dominant and radical break with tradition by analyzing elements within society and then illustrating that they did have a significance outside the conventional level of acceptance. His approach was unique in that he objectively contradicted the obvious, and applied an element of doubt to even the most secure and rational elements of science. His approach was intellectual, his major concern individualism, and humour was his most effective tool in uncovering the high seriousness that is so prevalent in modern society. To Marcel Duchamp, art became a way of life. In conclusion, it is hoped that some of his philosophy and attitudes in this regard can be validated to the degree that they may serve as useful guide lines as long as they can be applied to contemporary times.