Sentences on Conceptual Art
by Sol Lewitt
- Conceptual artists are mystics rather than rationalists. They leap to conclusions that logic cannot reach.
- Rational judgements repeat rational judgements.
- Irrational judgements lead to new experience.
- Formal art is essentially rational.
- Irrational thoughts should be followed absolutely and logically.
- If the artist changes his mind midway through the execution of the piece he compromises the result and repeats past results.
- The artist's will is secondary to the process he initiates from idea to completion. His wilfulness may only be ego.
- When words such as painting and sculpture are used, they connote a whole tradition and imply a consequent acceptance of this tradition, thus placing limitations on the artist who would be reluctant to make art that goes beyond the limitations.
- The concept and idea are different. The former implies a general direction while the latter is the component. Ideas implement the concept.
- Ideas can be works of art; they are in a chain of development that may eventually find some form. All ideas need not be made physical.
- Ideas do not necessarily proceed in logical order. They may set one off in unexpected directions, but an idea must necessarily be completed in the mind before the next one is formed.
- For each work of art that becomes physical there are many variations that do not.
- A work of art may be understood as a conductor from the artist's mind to the viewer's. But it may never reach the viewer, or it may never leave the artist's mind.
- The words of one artist to another may induce an idea chain, if they share the same concept.
- Since no form is intrinsically superior to another, the artist may use any form, from an expression of words (written or spoken) to physical reality, equally.
- If words are used, and they proceed from ideas about art, then they are art and not literature; numbers are not mathematics.
- All ideas are art if they are concerned with art and fall within the conventions of art.
- One usually understands the art of the past by applying the convention of the present, thus misunderstanding the art of the past.
- The conventions of art are altered by works of art.
- Successful art changes our understanding of the conventions by altering our perceptions.
- Perception of ideas leads to new ideas.
- The artist cannot imagine his art, and cannot perceive it until it is complete.
- The artist may misperceive (understand it differently from the artist) a work of art but still be set off in his own chain of thought by that misconstrual.
- Perception is subjective.
- The artist may not necessarily understand his own art. His perception is neither better nor worse than that of others.
- An artist may perceive the art of others better than his own.
- The concept of a work of art may involve the matter of the piece or the process in which it is made.
- Once the idea of the piece is established in the artist's mind and the final form is decided, the process is carried out blindly. There are many side effects that the artist cannot imagine. These may be used as ideas for new works.
- The process is mechanical and should not be tampered with. It should run its course.
- There are many elements involved in a work of art. The most important are the most obvious.
- If an artist uses the same form in a group of works, and changes the material, one would assume the artist's concept involved the material.
- Banal ideas cannot be rescued by beautiful execution.
- It is difficult to bungle a good idea.
- When an artist learns his craft too well he makes slick art.
- These sentences comment on art, but are not art.
First published in 0-9 (New York), 1969, and Art-Language (England), May 1969
6. If the artist changes his mind midway through the execution of the piece he compromises the result and repeats past results.
ReplyDeleteMy project never turn out the way I intended them to. I always plan out an elaborate work but, halfway through, I convince my self that its not going to look right so instead, I just do what I’m comfortable with and what I know will turn out well. I am the perfect example of how easy it is for an artist to feel out of their comfort zone halfway through a project and revert back to techniques that they are comfortable with, inevitably making similar art time and time again.
8. When words such as painting and sculpture are used, they connote a whole tradition and imply a consequent acceptance of this tradition, thus placing limitations on the artist who would be reluctant to make art that goes beyond the limitations.
When told to make a sculpture of painting, it is impossible to not think of the examples put forth by traditional artist, which can easily become inspiration. It is hard to think outside the box in terms of concepts and execution of an art work when a title is put on it before its conception. It makes it hard for an artist to think of their work as possibly encompassing many different mediums to create something that much more that simply a sculpture or a painting.
12. For each work of art that becomes physical there are many variations that do not.
Out of every work of art that I have made physical, there are thousands more that never had the chance to leave my mind. Each piece has endless possibilities that are thought of and considered before the final product.
14. The words of one artist to another may induce an idea chain, if they share the same concept.
Hearing the view or seeing the work of another artist always inspires me to create new things. It allows me to see the world from their point of view, one that I may have never considered if not for them. I believe that the input from one artist to another is necessary in order to create a truly great piece of art.
26. An artist may perceive the art of others better than his own.
I never think that my work is as good as other people’s work. I constantly compare myself to other artists and their abilities to create objects that I could only dream of making.
Great insights, T. Very applicable to our own lives.
Delete10.Ideas can be works of art; they are in a chain of development that may eventually find some form. All ideas need not be made physical.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the first sentence. Whether the idea is perfect, or impossible there is some type of beauty behind the concept. When I'm brainstorming for a project, ideas keep forming to build a final project. Some ideas become physical, some just stay a thought. Not all ideas need to become physical, but all ideas should be taken in consideration for a final project.
12.For each work of art that becomes physical there are many variations that do not.
In my experience of art, this statement is completely true. When a sketch is being made, I start with one idea and hop from one to another. In the process, a plethora of concepts are made, but only one makes the cut. I sometimes find myself wondering if the final art piece was the correct piece to choose. Maybe another variation should of been picked?
21.Perception of ideas leads to new ideas.
I just made a piece of work based off the idea of Navajo patterns (Native american art). I understood the idea of how the patterns look and form, then a new idea was formed. Instead of conforming with the normal works, I added a new idea of the patterns dripping.
32.Banal ideas cannot be rescued by beautiful execution.
I do not agree with this saying. There have been many reproductions of ideas that look better then the original idea. The whole point of competition today is to make a better product. And sometimes this is done simply by making the same product, but executing it better. Example: DVD vs. Blu-Ray. They both play movies right? But since more data can be fit on a Blu-ray disc, some would say it was rescued by beautiful execution.
34.When an artist learns his craft too well he makes slick art.
I feel like this idea is true. Once you master something, and keep repeating the craft, it becomes smoother and smoother. This is kind of like the idea "Practice makes perfect." and I completely agree with the saying.
Elijah, you should check out the Navajo weaving at the Kennedy Museum right now. I'm sure they'd inspire you.
DeleteI think LeWitt's sentences 32 and 34 are a bit sarcastic. In 32, he's not saying not to make something better isn't possible, he's saying that taking a bland or boring idea and making it appear beautiful doesn't necessarily rescue itself from boredom...
And in 34, note the words "too well", this to me indicates that he's not really for "slick" art. HOWEVER, the terminology has shifted quite a bit and under the current time, 'slick' would be refined or good at something or "smooth" as you say.
Great responses!
Irrational judgments lead to new experience. - I have always been an open person. I guess you can say me switching my major after my third year of college would be considered irrational. The rational decision would be to stay in your major and just get out of here but I on the other hand knew that was not what I wanted to do deep down inside. So with my major change, this allowed me to experience something new and something I knew I wanted to do.
ReplyDeleteIdeas do not necessarily proceed in logical order. They may set one off in unexpected directions, but an idea must necessarily be completed in the mind before the next one is formed. - I really like this sentence because I can always envision my final idea, but the necessary steps upon getting there are what build the foundation of my thought process. But upon getting to my final idea, the thoughts that are created help spark ideas for other creative projects.
The words of one artist to another may induce an idea chain, if they share the same concept. - I love going to other people to hear their thoughts and ideas. If you find that you both think the same way, it's like being on the same page with someone. They understand what you're going for and as an artist you find that provides less conflict or complications.
The artist may not necessarily understand his own art. His perception is neither better nor worse than that of others. - I have just come to accept everyone has a different thought processes and not everyone will see the same thing. Everyone isn't wired the same, so I can't fault my perception based off someone else's. Not saying that I don’t get jealous at the ability of other’s to grasp an art’s concept before me.
If words are used, and they proceed from ideas about art, then they are art and not literature; numbers are not mathematics. – This sentence makes me think of my 5th grade science teacher telling us science is more than science, its reading, mathematics, history, etc. Art comes in all forms, just like science.
Nice way to bring it all home. Posting to the blog helps share ideas, as you suggest, and foster community. Thanks.
Delete7. The artist's will is secondary to the process he initiates from idea to completion. His wilfulness may only be ego. - I honestly do not understand what this means by will. When I think of will I think of motivation, but here it could mean ego. I still don't know what it means by ego or how it is involved with making art.
ReplyDelete9. The concept and idea are different. The former implies a general direction while the latter is the component. Ideas implement the concept. - I really like this sentence a lot as it makes so much sense. The concept is basically the building blocks you use to form an idea an you can't have an idea without a concept. An idea will also work use a concept no matter what.
18. One usually understands the art of the past by applying the convention of the present, thus misunderstanding the art of the past. - I find this pretty interesting as this does happen. The conventions of the present are different than those of the past. What is right and wrong today could be different than that of the past. Ideas of today are also different than those of the past which will cause misinterpretations of past art.
26.Perception is subjective. - I like this a lot as it perfectly describes a critique of one of my projects for a previous class. What I wanted to portray with my art was much different than what everyone was interpreting. Then the more I though about what they were saying I was able to see what they mean.
Sara, I think in 7, he is saying that sometimes "will"- that which makes us do- can be ruled by egotistical means, i.e., I want to make this so I'll be famous, or they'll like me, or my teacher will give me a good grade. You know?
DeleteI really like your "ideas" about the "concept" in 9. Good work.
1. Conceptual artists are mystics rather than rationalists. They leap to conclusions that logic cannot reach.
ReplyDelete-An advantage I find of being artistic is being able to look beyond rhyme or reason. I look for answers to life’s questions. I look outside the box for answers, and I feel that many other artists or artistic people do. Why limit yourself to logic that others can think of and figure out themselves? Life has so many unknowns that logic can't explain. Who says logic is correct? I believe logic is just a perception of life, just as mystics have another perception; we are just more open to unknown concepts.
7. The artist's will is secondary to the process he initiates from idea to completion. His willfulness may only be ego.
- I have to disagree with this concept, for I believe that the artist's will is his/her drive within the composition. There would not be any purposeful art without the will to do it. I think that the will initiates the works in general, and if/when that will dies and the drive is no longer to there to finish or work on the composition, that the will may kick back in not for the artist their self, but for their ego for being unable to finish it. I believe that anybody with a strong will to do something will be able to drive themselves from beginning to the end result, and that is when true passionate art is formed.
12. For each work of art that becomes physical there are many variations that do not.
- Art is typically thought as a physical item or skill preformed or created. I believe that each idea and feeling about an art piece is art in itself. Every idea, feelings, expressions, verbalization and skills are all variations of art. Art doesn’t come in certain forms, but in almost any form you can think of. Thousands of ideas and feelings can come from a single piece of artwork, but don’t turn into anything else from there. I feel like that doesn’t make them any less of art; just a different form, almost just as important though for I feel that feelings and ideas can impact your life greatly as physical art can and does.
14. The words of one artist to another may induce an idea chain, if they share the same concept.
-Within this sentence, I agree with the first part pertaining that words of one artist to another may induce an idea chain. Ideas are good to be discussed and passed on to work out the kinks and knots in them, but I believe that they don’t always have to share the same concept. People can talk about the same idea, and have two completely different artworks in the end. Or it can be flip flopped, having different concepts and being able to express both through the same artwork. Similar concepts might make it easier to get ideas from others, but in the end, you can spark any idea from any concept, whether it’s similar to yours or not.
21. Perception of ideas leads to new ideas.
-Your whole world could be based on a way of thinking or living but when one tiny perception shifts it could change your entire lifestyle. I feel that the same goes for art, everyone has an individual perception, but when you see other perceptions it can create new ideas of things possible. Everything you see and think is a perception and when it changes, it can change your world by bringing new things into your life. Ideas can constantly keep branching off into other ideas and so many more when you look at them in a different view.
1. I believe it. i never believe in reality theres no fun in that. saying ignorance is bliss is roughly another way of thinking of insanity as an escape; doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. my friend once told me a great quote that i live by, "the quickest way to cure depression is to stop believing in reality."
ReplyDelete2 & 3. I imagine these are typed to go hand in hand and they should. I try everyday to get my friends to ignore what they were taught before and live the way they want to. I often take them hiking to places they haven't been for a new experience and an unpolluted judgment of the place. By bringing them to notice the new experience, i hope they open their minds each time so they can enjoy whatever they want. Its my way of telling them, "never take life too seriously, no one gets out alive anyway."
12. Simply put, it is the infinite conundrum of "what if" questions. It's a paradigm of never ending posibilities to which one may never choose a path. A way of solving it is to always just go with it; there is a reason we don't see the future; enjoy what you see, enjoy today. also because we make the future and if we continue to ask "what if?" then there is no future, there is only being stuck with what has been done.
25. Opinion befalls Opinion. the same way Johnny Depp never watches his own movies, an artist may not appreciate to the full extent of their artwork or one person may smell wet dog and another smells their old school's cafeteria food. Plenty of things in this life are simply a matter of opinion and no single opinion will be measurable next to anyone else's.
9. The concept and idea are different. The former implies a general direction while the latter is the component. Ideas implement the concept. I agree with "Sol" completely in this sense because this is the way my mind thinks. Ideas are always running through my head when doing a piece but only when i organize said ideas do they become a concept. Most often this happens when im pondering my concept of graffiti. The ideas run wild and gets harder and harder to organize into a "solid" concept.
ReplyDelete13. A work of art may be understood as a conductor from the artist's mind to the viewer's. But it may never reach the viewer, or it may never leave the artist's mind. I can relate to this because of my choice media usually takes a relatively long time. I will do a drawing that takes 30 hours and there is no way for me to take the time and try and record all of my thoughts and emotions through that piece. This is okay with me because half of the fun of doing art is getting lost in your own thoughts and emotions.
31. If an artist uses the same form in a group of works, and changes the material, one would assume the artist's concept involved the material. I agree with this statement undeniably. For instance i like drawing and painting but most of my concepts are inspired by culture. Skateboarding, graffiti and punk music are the cultures that interest me the most, i don't spend time learning how to draw and paint anymore, it should just proceed naturally.
35. These sentences comment on art, but are not art. I disagree with this last statement because i see it as art therefore it is. Earlier on line 21 "Sol" said "Perception is Subjective", so in my opinion it is art because it made me make connections faster than seeing a Van Gogh landscape. He was commenting on art, but it became art.