“Art asks questions. It doesn’t have answers.”
What does it mean to be an artist?
Lawrence Weiner dismantled fundamental assumptions about art – replacing traditional forms with a simple and accessible language of his own. In 1968 he created his first artist book, a compact softcover volume with its price ($1.95) printed on the cover. Each page contains an artwork. Each artwork is a sculpture. By extension, the book itself was presented by the artist as an exhibition. A few months later Weiner published his seminal Declaration of Intent. 1. The artist may construct the piece. 2. The piece may be fabricated. 3. The piece need not be built. Each being equal and consistent wit...
Lawrence Weiner dismantled fundamental assumptions about art – replacing traditional forms with a simple and accessible language of his own. In 1968 he created his first artist book, a compact softcover volume with its price ($1.95) printed on the cover. Each page contains an artwork. Each artwork is a sculpture. By extension, the book itself was presented by the artist as an exhibition. A few months later Weiner published his seminal Declaration of Intent. 1. The artist may construct the piece. 2. The piece may be fabricated. 3. The piece need not be built. Each being equal and consistent with the intent of the artist the decision as to condition rests with the receiver upon the occasion of receivership.
By 1970 language was Weiner’s primary medium. His work has appeared in a vast range of locations and formats – from gallery walls to manhole covers, tattoos to water tanks. Early on, feeling the importance of communicating his work to a general public, he paid particular attention to public space – often fly-posting artwork in cities where he was exhibiting. Weiner’s ‘text works’ are both straightforward and complex. Some are observations like WATER MADE IT WET (1998). Others present themselves as abstractions like PUSH AS IF & LEFT AS IS (2012). Ultimately, Weiner understood his work as a collaboration with its viewer. At every turn he made space for limitless interpretation.
Bio
Lawrence Weiner (1942-2021) was born and grew up in the South Bronx, New York City.
Did you know?
In the late 50s and early 60s Weiner hitchhiked throughout North America to see the 'world' he was born into and better understand what made him an American. Later, he divided his time between his studio in New York City and his boat in Amsterdam.
Collections
Weiner’s work is held in the collections of many of the world’s iconic museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Tate Modern, London; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Hamburger Bahnhof; Los Angeles MOCA; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Kunsthaus Zurich; ARC, Paris; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; DIA Art Foundation, New York and Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven.
