Museums worldwide offer free entry with secret password for Duchamp's Fountain centennial

On 9 April 2017, museums and galleries globally will grant free admission for one hour between 3–4pm to mark the 100th anniversary of Marcel Duchamp's Fountain. Visitors must provide the password 'Richard Mutt' at entry, referencing the faux signature 'R. Mutt' on the 1917 readymade. The initiative, conceived by art historian Thomas Girst and endorsed by the Association Marcel Duchamp, includes participating institutions like The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Tate Modern in London. A dedicated men's room at each venue will become a unisex bathroom for impromptu performances and homages. Duchamp originally unveiled Fountain at the preview of the 'First Annual Exhibition' by the Society of Independent Artists in New York on 9 April 1917, though it was later rejected by the society's board. Other participating locations span from The Israel Museum in Jerusalem to the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. Girst is known for works such as The Indefinite Duchamp (2013) and The Duchamp Dictionary (2014). The event celebrates the enduring impact of Duchamp's provocative artwork.