objet trouvé
Repurposed everyday item
Objet trouvé (French for "found object") is an everyday item presented as art with little or no modification—a urinal, a bicycle wheel, a piece of driftwood.
The concept emerged in early 20th-century avant-garde movements, challenging assumptions about what qualifies as art.
The plural is objets trouvés: The gallery featured objets trouvés alongside traditional sculptures.
Prepared in advance
- assemblageCollected group of things
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- installationProcess of putting in
- collageAssembled mixed-media artwork
Duchamp · mixed media · junk art · bricolage · conceptual art · appropriation · recontextualization · gallery
Accidental fortunate discovery
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- accidentUnintended harmful event
- foundDiscovered or established
- scavengedCollected from waste
beachcombing · flea market · curbside · thrift store · discarded · salvaged · repurposed · treasure
Sea-delivered shore lumber
- shellHard outer covering
- bottle capCrimped metal beverage closure
- rusty nailOxidized metal peg
- broken glassFractured transparent fragments
scrap metal · newspaper clipping · ticket stub · mannequin · bicycle wheel · urinal · typewriter · keys
readymade
Prepared in advance
- assemblageCollected group of things
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- installationProcess of putting in
Duchamp · collage · mixed media · junk art · bricolage · conceptual art · appropriation · recontextualization · gallery · exhibit
serendipity
Accidental fortunate discovery
scavenged · beachcombing · flea market · curbside · thrift store · discarded · salvaged · repurposed · treasure · unexpected
driftwood
Sea-delivered shore lumber
- shellHard outer covering
- bottle capCrimped metal beverage closure
- rusty nailOxidized metal peg
broken glass · scrap metal · newspaper clipping · ticket stub · mannequin · bicycle wheel · urinal · typewriter · keys · buttons
objet trouvémasterwork
Supreme creative achievement
classical sculpture · Renaissance painting · fine art · beaux-arts