"Genius, anti-artist, charlatan, guru, impostor? Since 1914 Marcel Duchamp has been called all these. No artist of the twentieth century has aroused more passion and controversy, nor exerted a greater influence on art, whose very nature Duchamp challenged and redefined as concept rather than product by questioning its traditionally privileged optical nature. At the same time, he never ceased to be engaged, openly or secretly, in provocative activities and works which transformed artmaking procedures. Written with the enthusiastic support of Duchamp's widow, this is one of the most original books ever written on this enigmatic artist, and challenges received ideas, misunderstanding and misinformation."--Jacket.