The Duchamp Dictionary

by Thomas Girst, Luke Frost (Illustrator), Therese Vandling (Illustrator)

“Girst elegantly unravels the skeins of Duchamp’s thinking. . . . An essential compendium for puzzling out an essential artist.” ―Richard Armstrong, Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation Among the most influential artists of the last hundred years, Marcel Duchamp holds great allure for many contemporary artists worldwide and is largely considered to be one of the founding fathers of modern art. Despite this popularity, books on Duchamp are often hyper-theoretical, rarely presenting the artist in an accessible way. This new book explores the artist’s life and work through short, alphabetical dictionary entries that introduce his legacy in a clear and engaging way.

From alchemy and anatomy to Warhol and windows, The Duchamp Dictionary offers a pithy and readable text that draws on in-depth scholarship and the very latest research. Thomas Girst includes close to 200 entries on the most interesting and important artworks, relationships, people, and ideas in Duchamp’s life―from The Bicycle Wheel and Fountain to Walter and Louise Arensberg, Peggy Guggenheim, Katherine Dreier, and Arturo Schwarz. Delightful, newly commissioned illustrations introduce each letter of the alphabet and accompany select entries, capturing the irreverent spirit of the artist himself. 59 color illustrations

Genres: Art, Art History, Design

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 2014

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up while I was reading "Where the Heart Beats" about the life of John Cage because Cage was hugely influenced by Duchamp. I studied Dada and Surrealism in college and knew many of Duchamp's famous works but couldn't get my head around why he was so celebrated. This book fixed all that. The dictionary format ended up being a great way to learn about Duchamp and get inside his way of thinking. A fantastic read.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book! I love the way it is formatted and I love the highlighted quotes. I feel like this book made me love Duchamp when I knew very little about him from the start of the book.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girst's layout and graphic design approach to accompany Duchamp's vast reference has this calm colours and risoprint visual aesthetic.

[Wahaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into Duchamp’s thinking and view on things directly and indirectly related to the art world.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read. fun.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and informative. What more could one want?