The Readymade as Social Exchange: Everyday Tactics of Resistance in Conceptual Art

Ever since Marcel Duchamp introduced the readymade, mass-produced object has played a key role in modern and contemporary art. As commodity culture became increasingly dominant decades following second world war, artists turned to readymade context of two movements that continue be influential for art today: Pop Conceptual In work many artists, we have witnessed tendency—inspired by art’s engagement with consumer culture, heighten fetishistic nature image. Conversely, influenced Conceptualism’s methods relocating redefining aesthetics, employed as device explore how objects mediate relationships within specific cultural contexts. This essay examines implications both paradigms using theology Michel de Certeau point reference. The framework mystical Christianity found Certeau’s writing, particularly regard his theory “everyday practices”, provides rich interpretation John Knight Gabriel Orozco. conceptual practices examples studied here, suggest deeper spiritual themes, demonstrate applicability Christian ethics readings