Pierre Pinoncelli's

Many people, including the writer who covered this story in the New York Times, consider Pinoncelli as nothing more than an attention-seeking old man. In 1993, when he was on trial for attacking the same Duchamp piece by urinating into it before striking it with hammer in Nimes, the presiding judge gave the Frenchman a relatively lenient sentence because it was thought that he only wanted to " hijack the fame of the original artist" rather than actually destroy anything . Despite such opinions, those who understand the Dada movement can see that pinoncelli's apparent madness is based in exactly the same place the Duchamp's primary principle artist was, all those year ago when the majority of the art world called him crazy. Fountain was after all, rejected from an exhibition in New York when the artist presented it for the first time in 1917.
I see Pierre Pinoncelli as a perfomance artist specialising in outradgeous "happenings" or artistic provocations. How can he dressed up as Santa Claus and empty his bag in front of children and smash the toys into pieces. Just because he wants to protest against the commercialisation.

What is Modern Art ?

Many people are shocked when they go to an art gallery and see a few paints splattered on a canvas given the same status as an "Old Master". The role of art in western culture has change over the years. Technical skill and realism, predominant since the 15th century, are now less relevant. Yet most people still regard such qualities as the hallmarks of good art.

Characteristics of Modern Art

1. It isn't lifelike: Even the most realistic work of art is just a visual illusion. Just consider what a strange thing it is to try to create the illusion of a three-dimensional scene by putting paint on a flat surface. Now that photos, film, T.V. and video can do the job so well, shouln't painting be concerned with a different sort of reality?
2. Anyone can do it: Many people judge a work of art by the apparent technical skill of the artist. They look for features such as "correct " perspective and subtle shading, which create the illusion of three dimensions. Many modern artists have felt that overemphasizing technique can stifle the imagination.
3. There are multiple interpretations: There is never just one interpretation of a work of art.Your own personal response is as valid as a critic's, specially if you look carefully and think about what you see.
4. Patterns are important: The rhythmic pattern across the picture surface can conjure up different emotions in the viewer, just as music evokes different moods in the listener.
5. Energy is visible: The boldness and density (or lack thereof) show the energy with which the artist has painted it.
6. It inspires: Some people think it inspires the viewer to look beyond the world or recognizble objects, to a more spiritual or imaginative plane.

Historical Origin of Modern Art

The invention of photography in the 1830s encouraged artists to attempt even greater realism in their paintings in effort to compete with it. But as the 19th century wore on, some artists began to question the need for art to refer to the outside world at all. This led to the development of abstract art.

A second factor was the decline of patronage - the system whereby the church, royalty and the artistocracy commisioned works of art. By the 19th century art dealers had begun to sell uncommissioned art to a wider public. This gave artists more freedom to paint what and how they liked.

Source for text:

Bohm-Duchen & Cook. "Understanding Modern Art."