Duchamp's concept of the readymade, the idea of elevating low or ordinary objects to high art, defines a good portion of contemporary art in the last century. This exhibition seeks to illustrate the artist's gift of seeing beauty and transformative potential in oft ignored, simple objects. In this case, the object that is the focus of exploration is the can, an object so utilitarian and disposable that it is usually taken for granted or discarded, but upon closer examination becomes an effective metaphor for the commerce of human life. Of course, no artist exemplifies this idea more specifically than Andy Warhol, whose Cambell Soup cans conflate quotidian items, advertising and mass production into high art. Cans are one of the most common mass produced items, and they have been memorialized in artwork over and over since Warhol's soup cans. Another early example is Jasper John's Painted Bronze, casts of Ballatine Ale cans, which were produced as a tongue in cheek sales challenge to Leo Castelli. Now they represent a significant moment in contemporary art as appropriation. This exhibition seeks to illuminate the diversity of ideas and aethestics surrounding a central theme and medium, and to illustrate the art historical significance of the simple can.
Artists include Andy Warhol, Martin Kippenberger, Guyton\Walker, Mike Kelley, Anna Sew Hoy, Cady Noland, Shelter Serra, Richard Prince, Haim Steinbach, Gabriel Orozco, David Hammons, Rachel Harrison, Lucas de Guillio.