In 1917, Marcell Duchamp submitted Fountain to the Society of Independent Artists exhibition. At the time, it was seen as so outrageous that it wasn’t even shown on the floor. I mean how could anyone submit a urinal and call it art?
Of course, art is more than just paint on a canvas. Today, Fountain is looked back on as one of the most important pieces of the 20th century. Because it expanded our definition of what we thought of as art.
Art is anything we do that brings emotional labor to the table to make a connection.
Which means if this urinal is art so is the plumber who figures out how to solve a difficult problem and to delight a customer.
Each of us has the opportunity to make art. When we are reaching out in a generous way to make someone’s lives better, how can that be anything but artistic?
Josh Allred's Blog 