Abolish Quote by Charles Simic
“Found objects, chance creations, ready-mades (mass-produced items promoted into art objects, such as Duchamp's "Fountain"-urinal as sculpture) abolish the separation between art and life. The commonplace is miraculous if rightly seen.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Art of the Everyday", 1999
Simic argues that everyday objects become art when recontextualized, blurring art‑life boundaries.
In simple terms: Ordinary items can be seen as miraculous art.
Key Takeaway
Look for wonder in common things.
Themes
art
perception
everyday life
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- public installations
- personal creativity
Key Concepts
found objects
ready‑made
Duchamp
miracle
Questions to Reflect On
- What objects around you could become art?
- How does context change meaning?
A Different Perspective
Risk of over‑intellectualizing mundane objects.
![“The object [Duchamp's Fountain] was rejected , giving Duchamp the opportunity of issuing a statement, which he published in a review, The Blind Man. In his statement he emphasized that the act of choice was sufficient to justify it as a creative art. Placing it in such a way that its normal use…” quote by Neville Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d5/neville-weston-48349_art-history_the-object-duchamp-s-fountain-was-reject_104800.jpg)
