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."
