found art: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized / Academic / Artistic
Quick answer
What does “found art” mean?
Objects from everyday life that are not traditionally considered art, but are designated as such by an artist and displayed in an artistic context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Objects from everyday life that are not traditionally considered art, but are designated as such by an artist and displayed in an artistic context.
The artistic practice of selecting and presenting ordinary manufactured objects as art, challenging traditional definitions of art and authorship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Found art' is the standard term in both. 'Readymade' (a term coined by Marcel Duchamp) is equally common in art discourse in both regions.
Connotations
Identical. Associated with conceptual art, Dadaism, and postmodernism.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “found art” in a Sentence
The artist created [found art] from [discarded objects].[This object] is considered [found art].The gallery is exhibiting [a piece of found art].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “found art” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He found-arted the driftwood by placing it on a plinth.
- The process of found-arting challenges convention.
American English
- She found-arted the traffic cone by signing it.
- Found-arting requires a keen eye for potential.
adverb
British English
- The item was presented found-art-ly, with a museum label.
American English
- He works found-art-ly, scouring junkyards for material.
adjective
British English
- It was a found-art piece, not a sculpture.
- The found-art movement began last century.
American English
- His found-art installation featured kitchen utensils.
- We studied found-art principles in class.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in valuations or auction house catalogues for modern art.
Academic
Common in art history, visual culture, and critical theory texts and lectures.
Everyday
Very rare. Would only be used in conversations about modern art.
Technical
Standard term in art criticism, museum studies, and artistic practice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “found art”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “found art”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “found art”
- Using 'found art' to describe art that is simply discovered or lost and then found (e.g., a recovered painting).
- Confusing it with 'folk art' or 'outsider art'.
- Misspelling as 'found art' (no hyphen is standard in contemporary usage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Readymade' is a specific term coined by Marcel Duchamp for mass-produced objects he designated as art. 'Found art' is a broader, more general term that can also include natural objects.
Conceptually, yes, but only if an artist intentionally selects it and presents it within an artistic context (like a gallery). The artist's act of choice and the new context are what make it art.
Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) is the pivotal figure with his 'readymades' like 'Bicycle Wheel' (1913) and 'Fountain' (1917).
In French: 'objet trouvé'. In German: 'Fundstück' or 'Objet trouvé'. In Italian: 'oggetto trovato' or 'ready-made'. The English term is often used internationally in art circles.
Objects from everyday life that are not traditionally considered art, but are designated as such by an artist and displayed in an artistic context.
Found art is usually specialized / academic / artistic in register.
Found art: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfaʊnd ˈɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfaʊnd ˈɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a classic case of found art.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an artist who FOUND a bicycle handlebar and a saddle, presented it as art, and called it 'Bull's Head'. That's FOUND ART.
Conceptual Metaphor
ART IS SELECTION (not just creation). THE GALLERY IS A SANCTUARY (it transforms ordinary things into special ones).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary intellectual act involved in creating 'found art'?