In the vast realm of contemporary art, a genre known as appropriation art has emerged, capturing the attention of both art enthusiasts and critics alike. Appropriation artists engage in the act of borrowing or copying existing artistic imagery, repurposing it in a way that reframes its meaning and establishes a new artistic voice. This practice has been present throughout art history, but it gained significant prominence in the mid-20th century as consumerism became a dominant force. In this article, we will delve into the world of appropriation art, exploring some of its most iconic works and the artists who have pushed the boundaries of artistic expression. Following are the 11 Appropriation art the you should know about today:
1. Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” (1917)
Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” is one of the most iconic examples of appropriation art. Duchamp submitted a standard urinal, which he purchased from a plumbing supply store, as an artwork to the Society of Independent Artists exhibition in 1917. He signed it with the pseudonym “R. Mutt” and titled it “Fountain.” By presenting a mass-produced object as art, Duchamp challenged the traditional notions of artistic creation, originality, and the role of the artist. “Fountain” sparked intense debates about the definition of art and the concept of the readymade, where an ordinary object becomes an artwork through the artist’s designation.
2. Sherrie Levine’s “After Walker Evans” (1981)
Sherrie Levine is known for her appropriation of iconic photographs by renowned photographer Walker Evans. In her series “After Walker Evans,” Levine rephotographed Evans’ images and presented them as her own artworks. By appropriating and recontextualizing these images, Levine raises questions about authorship, originality, and the value of the reproduced image. Her works challenge the notion of the singular artistic genius and highlight the role of context and presentation in shaping the meaning of an artwork.
3. Richard Prince’s “Untitled (Cowboy)” series (1989)
Richard Prince’s “Untitled (Cowboy)” series consists of rephotographed images taken from Marlboro cigarette advertisements featuring cowboys. Prince removed the text from the original ads and rephotographed them, presenting them as his own works of art. By appropriating and rephotographing these images, Prince explores ideas of authenticity, consumer culture, and masculinity. His works question the seductive power of advertising and challenge the notion of originality in art.
4. Barbara Kruger’s text-based works (1980s-present):
Barbara Kruger is known for her powerful and provocative text-based artworks. She appropriates found images from mass media, overlays them with bold, declarative text in white-on-red Futura font, and challenges viewers to critically examine social and cultural constructs. Kruger’s works often address themes of consumerism, feminism, power dynamics, and the manipulation of language and imagery in media. By appropriating and recontextualizing these images, Kruger subverts their original intended meanings and prompts viewers to question the influence of mass media on their perceptions and beliefs.
5. Jeff Koons’ “Banality” series (1988):
Jeff Koons’ “Banality” series features sculptures that incorporate kitsch objects and figurines. Koons appropriates and recontextualizes these objects, often blurring the lines between high and low art and challenging notions of taste and aesthetic hierarchy. By elevating these mundane objects to the realm of art, Koons questions the value system in the art world and invites viewers to reconsider their preconceived notions of what constitutes “good” or “bad” art.
6. Cindy Sherman’s “Untitled Film Stills” (1977-1980):
Cindy Sherman’s “Untitled Film Stills” series consists of self-portraits in which she staged herself in various roles and characters, evoking the visual language of classic Hollywood films. By appropriating and subverting cinematic tropes and stereotypes, Sherman challenges notions of identity, representation, and the construction of gender in mass media. Her works explore the complex relationship between the self and the image, highlighting the performative nature of identity and the influence of media on our perception of reality.
7. Appropriation in street art
Street artists often engage in appropriation as a means of making social and political statements. They appropriate images, symbols, and cultural references to subvert dominant narratives and challenge power structures. Artists like Banksy incorporate popular culture icons, famous artworks, and political figures into their works, reimagining them in new contexts to convey their messages. By appropriating and remixing these images, street artists aim to disrupt the established order, provoke thought, and create public dialogue.
8. Barbara Kruger’s “Your Body is a Battleground” (1989)
In her iconic artwork “Your Body is a Battleground,” Barbara Kruger appropriated a black-and-white photograph of a woman’s face and overlaid it with bold, red text that reads, “Your body is a battleground.” The image addresses issues of reproductive rights and the control over women’s bodies. Through appropriation, Kruger brings attention to the ongoing struggles for women’s autonomy and challenges societal norms and expectations.
9. Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans (1962)
Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans series is a quintessential example of appropriation art. Warhol appropriated the familiar Campbell’s Soup can design, reproduced it multiple times, and presented it as art. By appropriating this everyday object, Warhol questioned the boundary between art and consumer culture, raising issues of mass production, branding, and the commodification of art.
10. Ai Weiwei’s “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn” (1995)
In “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn,” Ai Weiwei documented himself dropping and shattering a 2,000-year-old Han Dynasty urn. By appropriating this artifact from Chinese history and destroying it, Ai Weiwei challenges notions of cultural heritage, iconoclasm, and the value placed on historical objects. The artwork raises questions about the power dynamics between the artist, history, and the viewer.
11. Shepard Fairey’s “Hope” poster (2008)
Shepard Fairey’s “Hope” poster, created during Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, is a well-known example of appropriation art. Fairey appropriated an Associated Press photograph of Obama, stylized it with a bold, graphic aesthetic, and added the word “hope” underneath. The poster became a symbol of the campaign and a widely recognized image of Obama’s presidency. Through appropriation, Fairey transformed a news photograph into a powerful political symbol, reflecting the aspirations and optimism associated with Obama’s candidacy.
These examples illustrate the diverse ways in which artists have engaged in appropriation, using existing images, objects, and cultural references to challenge conventions, question authority, and provoke critical discourse. Appropriation art continues to be a dynamic and relevant form of artistic expression, inviting viewers to question the boundaries of creativity, authorship, and the meaning of art itself.
Contributor
