Talk

Is it a Bird? A work of Art?

Or is it a propeller blade? Constantin Brancusi sculpted several of these birds. This sculpture presents an intresting case study in art appreciation. When Edward Steichen (a prominent photographer) purchased this item from Brancusi (in France) and attempted to bring it into the country, the US Customs decided this was a propeller blade masquerading as art. They slapped a $600 import duty on this bird. The resulting trial had witnesses discussing the attributes that made this a bird. If an artist labelled it a bird, does it then automatically become a bird. My mind immediately wishes to include some Saussurian structuralism or Derridean deconstruction, but alas I do not know enough.