Art, Death, Duchamp

Marcel Duchamp, known for his nonchalant attitude toward the material status of his artworks, paradoxically exerted meticulous control over their afterlife. The article examines his detailed instructions for the posthumous installation of his secret sculptural environment *Étant donnés* (1946–66) at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, including a four-ring binder of notes specifying everything from architectural dimensions to lightbulb wattage. It also highlights his earlier role as cofounder of the Société Anonyme, Inc., where he balanced artistic control with delegation, selecting artists like Louis Eilshemius for exhibitions despite their differing sensibilities.

Death as Performance

Der Tod als Performance

The article reviews Maria Martínez Bayona's debut sci-fi comedy film "The End of It," which premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The film follows Claire, a 250-year-old artist who, in a future where medical advances have eliminated death, decides to stage her own suicide as a radical art performance. The story critiques a world obsessed with synthetic rejuvenation and explores themes of mortality, authenticity, and the commodification of art.