Customize a common object. | Brian McCutcheon | The Art Assignment

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Indianapolis-based artist Brian McCutcheon asks you to Customize It! This art prompt is asking you to look at the traits around the object and play with one of those traits, thus changing how it's used.
Sarah then highlights Méret Oppenheim, a key figure in surrealism, who transformed something as a cup and saucer.
INSTRUCTIONS - Customize It
1) Find a common object that you find interesting
2) Make a list of identifying traits about that object
3) Customize the object while thinking about and playing with one of those traits
4) Show us what you've done by posting to your social media platform of choice with #theartassignment
Find out more about The Art Assignment and how to submit your response: theartassignment.com/

[@BrianHutzellMusic]

Years ago in Chicago, I saw an exhibit where several artists had each taken a Yugo and made something else out of it. There was a Yugo Confessional, a Yugo Piano, a Yugo Shower, a Yugo Accordion, and many others. It was brilliant!

[@Bordpie]

When I saw the decorated forklift near the end it reminded me of old, ornate traction engines and steam engines. Back when people decorated these machines not because they had to but because they took pride in their work. It's interesting how it made me look at the forklift in a different light.

[@jessherselfable]

Also, I don't know if this is appropriate to post here, but last week on our collab channel, we all did Art Assignments, and it was fun to see what everyone came up with! CakeSalad

[@remmy777]

Aw, I love the way John stares at Sarah. It's equal parts creepy and adorable. Also loved the story about the fur covered cup and saucer.

[@megmotherwort]

This is perfect. I know exactly what I want to do. Also, Brian seems like a really genuine and awesome fellow.

[@kimohearn3087]

This reminds me of some of the ideas Joss Whedon was playing with in the Firefly episode "Objects in Space". The commentary for the episode is brilliant and ask us to examine objects in different ways, beyond just form and function.

[@jessherselfable]

I really dig this assignment - I might actually do this one. :) I think I'll browse the objects in my house today and see what I can come up with. I love customizing things anyway, but I love the aspect of thinking about the object and not necessarily customizing it for functionality.

[@laurendesousa8119]

I also had one of those shampoo cups when I was a child! I had two.... one with holes and one without. The one without holes, albeit more practical... wasn't as much fun as the rain cloud like one with holes. I think I might just do this Art Assignment...

[@Xenolilly]

Two trips to find objects for two different assignments placed on my mental to do list.

[@theartassignment]

Yes, I thought it would be kind of practical to put these two assignments in a row. :)

[@FantashticIdeas]

I've never really done an art assignment before but this one looks very interesting! I'll have to try it out! :D

[@jhangelgurl]

I know this comment has nothing to do with the Art Assignment, but you and John are so adorable together! :)

[@davidshi451]

Oh man, I'm going to have to think about this one for a bit before trying something...

[@monkeyesq]

I recently came across A Luncheon with Fur in Khan Acadamy's section on Surrealism. For some reason, when I first saw it, I made me nauseous. I think it reminds me of food that has been left out so long that mold has taken over.

[@theartassignment]

I can completely see that. I can't help but imagine taking a drink from it and getting fur stuck in my mouth. Uck.

[@eilidhmacleod9125]

Ooh I love this one! I'll have to do it!

[@ironicoley]

Can't wait to do this assignment! Also, Sarah i LOVE that shirt where can i get one??

[@theartassignment]

Sweet. Can't wait to see what you do! (And about the sweater, I would tell you but then you'd know I paid WAY too much to have an awesome space sweater.)

[@leviskyana]

I also loved it! Pretty nice, so out there ;)

[@thimblepunk7359]

The story about drilling holes in the shampoo cup makes me think of 'puzzle jugs' en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puzzle_jug

[@ejetzer]

I really like your starry shirt! :)

[@LynneSkysong]

Ok, this is going to sound really weird (because I usually don't think about clothes and fashion and such like) but I absolutely LOVE Sarah's shirt. Does anyone know where she could have gotten it from? As for the the assignment itself... I have several things around the house that I've transformed in a similar manner. I feel like it wouldn't be in the right spirit of the assignment if I just post something I've already done, so I'm going to have to think about something new to do... even if I think my sethlogod lamp is awesome and unique with it's Hello Harto buttons.

[@metabeard3788]

I agree, art is not about functionality. If art serves a function, then it's design.

[@AG-ni2ly]

Hi, I was wondering if we could submit our assignments on instagram, I don't have a twitter or a tumblr but I still really want to participate in the art assignments!

[@Grayhome]

They often retweet assignments from Instagram so I think you're good to go!

[@theartassignment]

Tyler is right. Please post away to Instagram!

[@FBandSpin]

Wow! That is how American straight guys decorate themselves...he said it way better!

[@AssClappicus]

Who the hell thinks art is about functionality anyway?