DETROIT - The Museum of New Art presents
Swindle: Art in America. Torn from the world's monthly art bible,
Cesar Marzetti has stolen every image from the most recent issue of
Art in America. From cover to cover, the Italian artist has copied and
reprinted them all, then signed and made them his own, - but with a
twist.
When Marzetti signs images taken from magazines, reproductions from
other artists now mass-produced, he negates their original production.
Marzetti's provocation not only unmasks the art market, it radically
questions the very principle of art according to which the individual
is considered the creator of the work of art. Marzetti's actions are
not works of art but manifestations, a relentless destruction of the
original object.
"The emptying of art began with DADA," Marzetti spoke by telephone.
"And was reinvigorated with POP in the 60's, whose spirit continues
today - that of formless meaning and meaningless forms, of visual
indifference in favor of an idea. Most of these ideas are ordinary,
thus transforming any art into the ordinary."
Much like a magician revealing all his magic, Marzetti's acts are an
artist's betrayal, a revelation of art's negation to its past
triumphs, of novelty in favor of the ordinary.
"Art may not be dead," Marzetti finished, "but the authentic author
is."
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