PAINTING: 'DUCHAMP IS DEAD' 2006-2010
'Duchamp Is Dead' 2006 - 200? This triptych is a homage to Marcel Duchamp and inspired by Le Rougetel's fascination with his sustained influence on art practice today through the spectre of the readymade. The paintings began with the simple statement 'Duchamp Is Dead' painted in big letters across the canvases. It has had many manifestations and continues to evolve. Once, it was hung in a way as to mimic a religious alterpiece, with the central painting given more emphasis with a 'grander' frame and hung higher than the others. It was shown in a Chelsea seminar group and generated a healthy debate, largely beacuse the words 'Fuck' 'Marcel' 'Duchamp' bestrode the canvases. Near the end of the seminar Le Rougetel stood up, walked over to the paintings, got out a big black marker and crossed our 'Fuck' 'Marcel' and 'Duchamp' re-asserting the mantra 'Fuck Marcel Duchamp!' Is this a serious comment about art now or just offensive to the memory of Marcel, or is it a joke? And why are the photos of this triptych so terrible?
