An Analysis of Warhol and Duchamp

Welcome to another installment of "Art History Tuesdays" where we look at pieces of art throughout history that have earned the right to be in textbooks. In these articles we delve into comparisons of work, the history and stories behind the piece, and even the artist's life.

Today we're going to be looking at two prominent artists on the brink of two very distinct art movements. For Duchamp, it was the minimalists; and for Warhol- pop art. Today we're going to explore their works - focusing on "Fountain" and "Brillo Box" to answer the question- is one considered more artistic than the other?

Both Warhol and Duchamp were artists that pushed the boundaries on what modern art could be, and how art was seen. Though one worked primarily in pop art, and the other’s career was before pop art existed, they both were quite similar in their ways of thinking. Perhaps Warhol was even inspired by Duchamp’s belief that art was not that easily defined.

Many of Warhol’s creations were produced by others, much like minimalist artists. Specifically with Warhol’s Brillo Boxes, he had carpenters make the boxes the exact same size as the actual boxes that were being delivered to supermarkets. He filled an entire gallery of these boxes to the point it looked more like an actual supermarket than a gallery.

Duchamp’s statement he made with “Fountain” opened up new avenues to artist's ways of thinking and producing art. It gave way to the Minimalist movement, which focused on non-representational art and taking away the artists personal touch; giving it an industrial feel. In doing such, it also inspired pop art (Warhol's work). Much like Duchamp’s “waterfall” Warhol’s exhibition of these Brillo Boxes raises the question of where art stops and every day items begin. It raises the question of what the value of art is and how we identify that value.

Duchamp went in knowing his piece, which was a urinal he had signed and turned on it’s side; would be rejected, and even used a different name to have no bias placed on the curators.

Warhol confidently entered his idea for an exhibition, challenging the art world to think about art differently. I cant help but think that Duchamp paved the way by allowing his work to get denied from an exhibition that claimed to take everyone's artwork. Because he let the ambiguity of art’s definition work its way into the minds of artists, Warhol was able to succeed in his pop culture art, such as having an entire gallery filled with Brillo Boxes.

I do believe that both of these pieces art artwork. At first glance while reading my textbook, I thought it was funny. But the more I read and look the more I agree that “Fountain” is a piece of artwork. I think that to truly understand some artwork, you have to have knowledge of the time period or the artist’s life. Some things are very surface level and can be easily deciphered through things such as symbols or imitations/references to other things in history. But others, such as Fountain and Brillo Boxes, need to be examined with a knowing eye to truly understand the meaning of their artistry.

I do not believe one should be considered more artistic than the other. The actual production of a piece isn’t all there is to art. It is a profound culmination of knowledge and emotion, pushing the boundaries of a world we often view as black and white. Both Warhol and Duchamp challenge that black and white outlook in their works, both inspiring artists and art movements through their efforts.

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