How does Duchamp challenge the role of the author function, as defined by Michel Foucault, and how does this contribute further to the critique of formalism?

Marcel Duchamp challenges the role of the author function by blurring the lines between creator and audience, and by questioning the traditional notions of authorship and originality. Duchamp's readymades, such as his famous piece "Fountain" which is simply a urinal turned on its side, challenge the idea that the artist must be the sole creator of a work of art. By presenting everyday objects as art, Duchamp disrupts the traditional hierarchy of artist and viewer, and invites the audience to reconsider their preconceived notions of what constitutes art.

This challenge to the author function contributes to the critique of formalism by highlighting the limitations of formalist approaches to art. Formalism, which focuses on the formal qualities of a work of art such as composition, color, and line, often prioritizes the intentions of the artist and the originality of the work. Duchamp's readymades, however, undermine these formalist principles by emphasizing the concept or idea behind the artwork rather than its formal qualities. This shift in focus challenges the idea that art should be judged solely on its formal qualities, and instead encourages a more conceptual and critical approach to understanding art.

Overall, Duchamp's challenge to the author function and critique of formalism contribute to a broader questioning of traditional notions of art and aesthetics, and invite viewers to engage with art in a more critical and open-minded way.