Marcel Duchamp, art and the ethical signifi cance of a renewed relationship with the object

Abstract

In this paper I shall show that the artworks of Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) harbour as yet unheeded ontological and ethical implications. I shall do this through an investigation of Duchamp鈥檚 readymades and his writings on 鈥渋ndifference,鈥� as well as Duchamp鈥檚 most complex work, The Large Glass. I shall show that Duchamp鈥檚 works accomplish a recalibration of the work-spectator relationship through which modern art reclaims and proclaims the object鈥檚 inherent rights to self-manifestation and self-affirmation. I conclude by showing that the challenge posed by Duchamp鈥檚 art does not pertain to art alone, but calls for a genuine renewal of our ethical relationship with the other generally.