Modernism/Post Modernism

Based on social change and technological advancements, modernism/post modernism is never focused on today but on tomorrow.  It speeds up the tempo of life, creates new human environments and destroys old ones.  It is rejecting tradition and being innovative.

Marcel Duchamps' fountain has been amidst controversy since he exhibited it in 1917.  This piece was rejected by the people at the gallery, saying that 'it was not art.'  Duchamp was part of the DADA movement in the New York section, which was unorganised and introduced "ideas of absurdity and anti-art."  They went against what was seen as 'art' at the time and came up with a 'modern' ways of thinking.  Creating new and possibly absurd artworks.  "If only America would realise that the art of Europe is finished-dead-that America is the country of the art of the future, instead of trying to base everything she does on European traditions!"
Who is to say what is or isn't art?  Surely it should be left to the artist themselves?

references: Marcel Duchamp:Artist of the Century
                  Wikipedia