After spending decades disassembling the sanctity of the art objects, in the 1940s, Duchamp began quoting himself in his “Box in a Valise.” He made miniaturized versions of his more well-known pieces and assembled them into carrying cases that he thought of as portable museums. They were mostly given privately to friends and supporters.
There are 10 “Boxes in a Valise” in the exhibition, which Affron says is the most ever assembled in one place.
The PMA is the second of three stops for “Marcel Duchamp.” It has already had a run at MOMA, and a version will be at the Grand Palais in France next year.
Co-curator Ann Temkin said generations of artists who came after Duchamp have been influenced by his ideas, even if they don’t realize it.
“These artists, who could be in their 60s, who could be in their 20s, are like, ‘Oh my god, everything I make and every way in which I approach my work is so focused on the legacy of Duchamp and yet these are things I’m seeing, for the most part, for the first time.’” Temkin said.
“Marcel Duchamp” will be at the PMA until Jan. 31.