The artwork, titled “Rotary Glass Plates (Precision Optics)” and created by Marcel Duchamp in 1920, is a ready-made piece that measures 120.6 by 184.1 centimeters. It falls within the genres of Dada and Kinetic Art and is considered an installation. The piece exemplifies Duchamp’s unconventional approach to art, using everyday objects and presenting them in new contexts to challenge traditional perceptions.
In the artwork, a series of concentric circles crafted from glass are arranged in a manner that suggests movement and precision. The glass plates are mounted on a wooden structure that supports them at their base, forming a geometric framework. The intricate alignment and engineering of the glass plates evoke a sense of dynamic interplay between motion and stability. Employing the principles of optical illusion and kinetic energy, Duchamp’s creation engages the viewer’s perception, inviting contemplation and questioning of visual and material reality in art.
