Artist's Shit 1961

This is Piero Manzoni's "Artist's Shit," canned in May 1961. It's art as a process, a literal take on what an artist produces. The can, sealed and labeled, it's both a promise and a provocation. The label has this kinda bureaucratic look, like it’s any other consumer product, but it’s covered in the artist’s name, over and over. It makes you consider how value is assigned, who gets to do the assigning, and what the relationship is between the artist and the art object. I'm drawn to the audacity of the concept, but also the care in the execution. This isn't just a random act; it's a carefully considered gesture. It reminds me a bit of Duchamp, but with a more visceral punch. Both Manzoni and Duchamp challenge our notions of what art can be, pushing us to question the very nature of creativity and the art world. Art is not precious.