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Full Idea
Since the nineteenth century it has been art's claim that it is useless...so it is enough to elevate any object to uselessness to turn it into a work of art...and obsolete useless objects automatically acquire an aesthetic aura.
Gist of Idea
In modern times, being useless is the essential aesthetic ingredient for an object
Source
Jean Baudrillard (The Intelligence of Evil [2004], p.111)
Book Ref
Baudrillard,Jean: 'The Intelligence of Evil or The Lucidity Pact' [Berg 2005], p.111
A Reaction
Art is 'purposive without purpose' (Kant). An nice summary of the situation, and this seems to explain the role of Duchamp's famous urinal, up on the wall and rendered useless. The obvious rebellion, though, is Arts and Crafts.