The artwork titled “1200 Bags of Coal” was created by Marcel Duchamp in 1938 and was exhibited in New York City, United States, as part of the “International Exhibition of Surrealism”. This installation piece falls under the art movements of Dada and Surrealism, and it belongs to the installation genre.
The artwork presents a striking and immersive environment wherein 1,200 coal sacks are suspended from the ceiling, creating an overhead canopy of uniform texture and form. The installation generates a surreal and uncanny atmosphere, characteristic of Duchamp’s exploration of mundane objects in unexpected contexts. The visual contrast between the hanging coal bags and the surrounding framed artworks intensifies the feeling of disorientation and challenges traditional perceptions of art. Duchamp’s creative use of industrial materials and subversion of conventional exhibition spaces further underscores his pivotal role in the Dada and Surrealism movements.
