Israel museum, jerusalem, september 1975 by sol lewitt. A coloring book of drawings by contemporary artists by lewitt, sol. Crumb, r rockman, alexis and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Whether its a sculpture, a painting or a drawing, sol lewitts work is almost always instantly recognizable for its rigorous lines, modular perspective and strict geometric shapes. Lewitt came to fame in the late 1960s with his wall drawings and structures a term he preferred instead of sculptures but was prolific in a wide range of media including drawing, printmaking, photography. Sol lewittsol lewitt began exhibiting in new york in the 1960s and would go on to become one of the most influential artists of his generation. These occupy nearly an acre of specially built interior walls that have been installedper lewitts own specificationsover three stories of a historic mill b.
Solomon sol lewitt september 9, 1928 april 8, 2007 was an american artist linked to various movements, including conceptual art and minimalism lewitt came to fame in the late 1960s with his wall drawings and structures a term he preferred instead of sculptures but was prolific in a wide range of media including drawing, printmaking, photography, painting, installation, and. Redefining art production by exploring ideas rather than conventional aesthetics, he distilled art to its essentials. The muchdebated term, attributed to curator diane vanderlip in her 1973 exhibition artists books at the moore college of art in philadelphia, emerged in a climate of social and political. The exhibition surveys the varied and historically significant publication practice of conceptual artist sol lewitt through a nearcomplete presentation of book.
Jan 07, 20 lewitt created books as art works since the early days of artists books in the united states, even before they were recognized as art forms. Sol lewitt american, 19282007 is renowned as a founding member of both minimalism and conceptual art. A founder of both the minimalist and conceptual art movements, lewitt made sculptures, paintings, drawings, prints, and largescale installations. Artists books as well as in susanna singers publications by the artist bibliography in sfmomas 2000 sol lewitt showing some very light wear and soiling to its white wrappers along with a tiny dent to the upper foredge.
Sol lewitts electrifying letter of advice on selfdoubt. Lewitt came to fame in the late 1960s with his wall drawings and structures a term he preferred instead of sculptures but was prolific in a wide range of media including drawing, printmaking, photography, painting, installation, and artists books. Wikipedia entry introduction solomon sol lewitt september 9, 1928 april 8, 2007 was an american artist linked to various movements, including conceptual art and minimalism. Sol lewitt 19282007 was pivotal in the creation of the new radical aesthetic of the 1960s that was a revolutionary contradiction to the abstract expressionism current in the 1950s and 60s new york school. No surprises really, given that one of the first jobs he. His father, a doctor, died when he was 6, after which he moved with his mother, a nurse, to live with an aunt.
Lewitt reminds hesse that perfectionism kills creativity and, in a parallel to jennifer egans assertion that bad writing is a way of priming the pump for great writing, urges her to surrender the addiction to good work and use the bad as a springboard into the great. Using the cube as the basis for his complex modules. The exhibition surveys the varied and historically significant publication practice of conceptual artist sol lewitt through a nearcomplete presentation of book works drawn from the expansive research of giorgio maffei archive and viaindustriae archive in connection with private collections. Artists books of sol lewitt a table by printed matter. In 1976, lewitt cofounded the artists book bookstore printed matter in new york, with lucy lippard. Books are the best medium for many artists working today, sol lewitt 19282007 once declared. After receiving a bfa from syracuse university he worked as a graphic designer in the office of architect i. A wall drawing retrospective comprises 105 of lewitts largescale wall drawings, spanning the artists career from 1969 to 2007. Page 3 of lewitts letter to hesse courtesy of the lewitt collection. Sol lewitt was a leading figure of minimalism and pioneer of conceptual art. Quotations by sol lewitt, american artist, born september 9, 1928.
The morgan installs geometric wall drawing by artist sol lewitt. Printed matter is pleased to present book as system. Lewitts bookmaking fits squarely within his commitment to order and seriality, revealing his overall practice. Artists books fri sun 2 6pm and by appointment 22 january, 2011 march 2011. A pioneer of artists books, and cofounder of new yorks printed matter bookstore in 1976, lewitt is closely identified with the book as an art form. A pioneer of artists books, and cofounder of new yorks printed matter bookstore in 1976. Lewitt came to fame in the late 1960s with his wall drawings and structures but was prolific in a wide range of media including drawing, printmaking, photography, painting, installation, and artists books. Jul 24, 2018 the morgan will celebrate the wall drawing during free friday hours on friday, september 7, 79 pm, with a screening of the documentary sol lewitt. In the 1971, the colour makes its appearance in sol lewitts artist books with four basic colours and their combinations.
Individually, each book is already an important record and reference source. Sol lewitts most popular book is between the lines. Sol lewitt 19282007, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, upended traditional practices of how art is made and marketed. Artists books is a touring exhibition of over 80 of lewitts books, dating from 1967 to 2002, a few years before his death. Apr 09, 2007 sol lewitt was born in hartford, on sept. A key figure in minimalism and conceptualism, he proclaimed that the work of the mind is much more important than that of the hand. Within each square, bands in one of four directions, each with color ink washes superimposed.
Apr 08, 2007 solomon sol lewitt was an american artist linked to various movements, including conceptual art and minimalism. Galleria civica darte moderna museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. An excellent copy of lewitts artist book analysing lines and colour variation.
Lewitt attended classes at the wadsworth atheneum museum in his hometown of hartford, connecticut as a youth, and then received a bfa from syracuse university. Along with lucy lippard and others, lewitt was instrumental in the founding of the artists books publisher and promoter printed matter in new york city, partially in response to the fact that lewitt. Though american conceptual artist sol lewitt 19282007 worked in every media, he is known best for his wall drawings and series of. Sol lewitts artists books, on show at site gallery. Apr 04, 2020 sol lewitt, american artist whose work provides a link between minimalism and conceptual art. Includes an introduction by tom sachs, reproductions of the lewitt drawings in the show, and a portrait of lewitt by sachs. Sol lewitt was an iconic american artist whose work helped to establish both minimalism and conceptual art. Lewitt is best known for his largescale wall drawings, rigorous arrays of designs, shapes, grids, and. A blind man can make art if what is in his mind can be passed to another mind in some tangible form, he once said. Solomon sol lewitt september 9, 1928 april 8, 2007 was an american artist linked to various movements, including conceptual art and minimalism. Sol lewitt earned a place in the history of art for his leading role in the conceptual movement. His belief in the artist as a generator of ideas was instrumental in the transition from the modern to the postmodern era. Sol lewitt 19282007 was born in hartford, connecticut, where he took art classes at the wadsworth atheneum. Apr 08, 2007 the establishment of the sol lewitt fund for artists work, made possible by a generous donation from the artist, continues to support the creation and exhibition of public art in new york city.