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.
Sol LewittRead
I was not interested in irony; I wanted to emphasize the primacy of the idea in making art
Interpretation
What this quote means
Sol Lewitt emphasizes that the idea behind the artwork is more important than its ironic execution.
In this quote, Sol Lewitt articulates his belief that the concept or idea that drives the creation of art holds greater significance than the use of irony within that art. This perspective shifts the focus from artistic techniques or styles to the intellectual foundation of art, suggesting that the essence of creative expression lies in the thoughts and intentions behind it rather than purely in its aesthetic presentation.
Themes
ArtIdeaCreativityExpressionConcept
In practice
Example use cases
A discussion on the importance of conceptual art in a gallery.
More from Sol Lewitt
All quotes βOnce it is out of his hand the artist has no control over the way a viewer will perceive the work. Different people will understand the same thing in a different way.
Sol LewittRead
The system is the work of art; the visual work of art is the proof of the System. The visual aspect can't be understood without understanding the system. It isn't what it looks like but what it is that is of basic importance.
Sol LewittRead
Artists are mystics rather than rationalists. They leap to conclusions that logic cannot reach.
Sol LewittRead
Buying books was a way anyone could acquire a work of art for very little.
Sol LewittRead
Unless you're involved with thinking about what you're doing, you end up doing the same thing over and over, and that becomes tedious and, in the end, defeating.
Sol LewittRead
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Oscar NiemeyerRead