2. Research: Art Controversy

Controversy has existed since before art was discovered. Marcel Duchamp created a piece called "Fountain" in 1917 that is still one of the most controversial art pieces people talk about today. He took an everyday object, and turned it into art. When Duchamp was asked why he created this specific piece he said, “I was drawing people’s attention to the fact that art is a mirage. A mirage, exactly like an oasis appears in the desert. It is very beautiful until, of course, you are dying of thirst. But you don’t die in the field of art. The mirage is solid.” So what makes something art and how does it become controversial? These questions have been shaping creativity of all artist's since the beginning of time. Art is created to challenge the viewers limitations and thought processes, making them think about what is being presented in front of them. Today in society, people choose to criticize most of what they see and because of this they won't see the artist's original intention that lies behind the work. This causes the viewer to not have the chance to appreciate the artist's original vision or intention of that piece. Artistic freedom of expression is often taken in the wrong context. Certain artist's may be trying to push the boundaries of what art is, while others stay in the lines. This causes controversy between not only artists, but the audience as well. Art is created for an artist to communicate an idea to an audience, no matter what the subject may be. Everyone should be able to express themselves through whatever thoughts and ideas they may have.

Marcel Duchamp, Fountain, 1917