Module VII·Article III·~1 min read
Conceptualism and Performance: The Idea as Artwork
Postwar Art: Abstraction, Pop, and Conceptualism
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Conceptualism: "The Idea Is Art"
Sol LeWitt ("Paragraphs on Conceptual Art", 1967): "In conceptual art, the idea or concept is the most important aspect of the work." The material embodiment is secondary. The artwork may exist only as an idea.
"One and Three Chairs" (Joseph Kosuth, 1965): an actual chair, a photograph of the chair, a dictionary entry "chair". This is a philosophical investigation of the sign, the signified, representation—in material form.
Instructions as artworks: Yoko Ono "Grapefruit" (1964)—a book of instructions. "Imagine a cloud and draw it." "Imagine 1000 suns in the sky." The artwork is in the execution of the instruction, not in the object.
This anticipated digital art, interactive installations, and performative practices.
Beuys and Social Sculpture
Joseph Beuys (1921–1986) was a German artist who created one of the most ambitious artistic concepts of the twentieth century: "social sculpture." Every person is an artist. Every social action is an artwork. "7000 Oaks" (1982, Kassel): planting 7,000 oaks—an artwork and an ecological action.
Beuys survived a plane crash in Crimea (1943)—he was rescued by Tatars who, according to his claim (disputed by historians), wrapped him in felt and fat. Felt and fat became the main materials in his works. "I Like America, America Likes Me": Beuys spent 3 days in a gallery with a live coyote. Is this a shamanic act—or a performance? The boundary disappears.
Question for reflection: Conceptualism posed the question: if the idea is more important than the material embodiment—what is valuable in your professional work? The idea? The process? The result? Relationships?
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