Provenance is a record that relates to the ownership of an artwork. Provenance typically begins with the date of creation, and can include information on previous ownership, documentation of discovery, exhibition history, citations in exhibiting catalogues or historical writings about the work of art. Provenance is important because it can confirm an artworks authenticity. Some works can have incomplete or missing provenance and must be attributed in other ways. This is the case with work created by Leonardo Da Vinci. Because Da Vinci used unique techniques and processes that no other artist working in his time used, his work can be traced using chemical analysis rather than a record of provenance. I think this change has taken place because the history of works in not always trust worthy or even available and may require scientific analysis.
If it were up to me, Marcel Duchamp's readymade Fountain would have been juried into the first exhibition of the American Society of Independent Artists. The work challenges preconceived notions of art and what can be considered art, the work challenged the beauty of art, it changes the way people view the ordinary object, and it changed the definition of what art is. Because of this I would include this work into the exhibition. At this time artists were rebelling against the traditional system of art, and this work goes a step further and rebels against those who are already rebelling. If it were up to me a work would be juried into this exhibition based on the content and context rather then on physical appearance.
Thanks for your thoughtful post, Zach! How would you respond to other artist's and public outrage about the inclusion of Duchamp's work? What do you think the fallout would be for you as an exhibition organizer for standing by this decision? Would you be willing to always take risks for challenging artworks? Are there any situations where you might not?
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