Conceptual Art
Art can be made out of anything.
“the actual work of art is not the object (that is) later framed and hung on the
wall but is the activity in which the artist was engaged at the time of its
creation…” – Arnason, 1971:703.
Concept = idea.
The idea & message is more important than the process or the finished
product.
Art no longer needs to be precious, permanent or an item of value to be
bought and sold.
It may be temporary and inaccessible.
It may be a document, photograph, performance or action.
The viewer’s experience of the work is often important to the meaning and
becomes part of the work and a “confirmation” of the work.
Known as earth art , body art and motion sculpture
To the artist’s intention & idea than to anything
Product nor the process is of importance
Themes in Conceptual art
Randomness
Serious political issues
Provocative gestures
Nature of art
Expanding boundaries of art
Private concerns
Individual searches for truth thought art
Genres in Conceptual Art:
Installation art.
Idea art.
Mobile sculpture.
Performance/ Body art.
Land art (Earth works).
Narrative art.
Media in Conceptual art.
Conceptual art was not meant to be preserved for all time.
Material was prescribed by the idea that the artist wanted to bring across.
Is just about infinite: snow, paper, film, sound, maps, monitors, smoke,
animals and props.
It could also have no material manifestation at all, e.g., the presentation of an
idea.
, Inspired by the Dadaists
For example, Duchamp’s ready-mades
The idea of the work is most important.
Early Conceptual artist who used language/words as
concept.
Joseph Kosuth
Works include a written word.
Comprises of an actual chair
The observed reality.
Spectators observed reality.
Tile is a clue to understand the work.
“One and Three Chairs”, 1965
Actual chair & full-scale photograph of the same chair
And printed dictionary definition of a chair
Early Conceptual artists who used installation as concept.
Edward Kienholz
Created situations in which figures
were placed amongst real objects
Brutal images of humanity
The theme of horror
His brutal images of humanity have
both attracted and repelled the
imaginations of spectators.
“The Wait”,1965
Portrays the projected hopes of an individual
Present reality in which that person finds herself
Figure is skeletal , trapped in clothes still waiting for the realization of her
dreams
The skeleton as reference to the passing of time
The object is associated to an old person : a knitting basket , lapdog.
In contrast her feet are placed innocently , like a child.
Art can be made out of anything.
“the actual work of art is not the object (that is) later framed and hung on the
wall but is the activity in which the artist was engaged at the time of its
creation…” – Arnason, 1971:703.
Concept = idea.
The idea & message is more important than the process or the finished
product.
Art no longer needs to be precious, permanent or an item of value to be
bought and sold.
It may be temporary and inaccessible.
It may be a document, photograph, performance or action.
The viewer’s experience of the work is often important to the meaning and
becomes part of the work and a “confirmation” of the work.
Known as earth art , body art and motion sculpture
To the artist’s intention & idea than to anything
Product nor the process is of importance
Themes in Conceptual art
Randomness
Serious political issues
Provocative gestures
Nature of art
Expanding boundaries of art
Private concerns
Individual searches for truth thought art
Genres in Conceptual Art:
Installation art.
Idea art.
Mobile sculpture.
Performance/ Body art.
Land art (Earth works).
Narrative art.
Media in Conceptual art.
Conceptual art was not meant to be preserved for all time.
Material was prescribed by the idea that the artist wanted to bring across.
Is just about infinite: snow, paper, film, sound, maps, monitors, smoke,
animals and props.
It could also have no material manifestation at all, e.g., the presentation of an
idea.
, Inspired by the Dadaists
For example, Duchamp’s ready-mades
The idea of the work is most important.
Early Conceptual artist who used language/words as
concept.
Joseph Kosuth
Works include a written word.
Comprises of an actual chair
The observed reality.
Spectators observed reality.
Tile is a clue to understand the work.
“One and Three Chairs”, 1965
Actual chair & full-scale photograph of the same chair
And printed dictionary definition of a chair
Early Conceptual artists who used installation as concept.
Edward Kienholz
Created situations in which figures
were placed amongst real objects
Brutal images of humanity
The theme of horror
His brutal images of humanity have
both attracted and repelled the
imaginations of spectators.
“The Wait”,1965
Portrays the projected hopes of an individual
Present reality in which that person finds herself
Figure is skeletal , trapped in clothes still waiting for the realization of her
dreams
The skeleton as reference to the passing of time
The object is associated to an old person : a knitting basket , lapdog.
In contrast her feet are placed innocently , like a child.
