Sol Lewitt Article

In Paragraphs of Conceptual Art, by Sol Lewitt, the artist explains the idiosyncrasies of conceptual art from the perspective of a spectator and an artist. He explains that conceptual art is ultimately illogical, but advanced by illogic. The process work of an artist is, at times, better then the completed work and the product is only as good as the idea it came from. Lewitt further explains how ideas that become art are intuitive and are not necessarily connected to perception or conception of an idea. They remain isolated and take form to convey the message. Many conceptual art pieces whether they are two or three dimensional, attempt to create mentally stimulating, while simultaneously avoiding emotional anxieties. The purposeless and process oriented artists strategically employ basic form and simple arrangements to avoid jumbled narratives and subjectivity. These artists also use size, space, proportion, harmony, disharmony, and anti-utilitarian ideals as a means to a finished work.

Many of Lewitt’s ideas surrounding the conceptual art field are very simple but convey a deeper meaning with the audience. Without an audience, art does not exist. Each person perceives art differently and no two ideas are the same. What I enjoy about this art is that it doesn’t refer to anything, or designed to inflict me with a certain emotion. The work is profound and understood uniquely. Many things can be found illogically, by chance, or mishap. These flaws in an unconscious plan contribute to the artist’s intention but do not define it. It is important to continue with new ideas, create plans, execute, alter, and compose space and form to heighten awareness to areas and mitigate attention to another. Many of these ideas seem spontaneous but are deliberate.