ready-mades

Ready-mades are art objects created by taking everyday, manufactured items—like a urinal or a bicycle wheel—and presenting them as art, often with minimal alteration. Coined by artist Marcel Duchamp in the early 20th century, this concept challenges traditional ideas of artistic creativity and craftsmanship by emphasizing selection and context over creation. Ready-mades encourage viewers to reconsider ordinary objects’ roles and meanings, blurring the line between art and everyday life. They are influential in contemporary art, fostering discussions about authorship, originality, and the nature of artistic value.