Lawrence Weiner
dal 26/9/2008 al 10/1/2009
Segnalato da
26/9/2008
Lawrence Weiner
K21 Kunstsammlung, Dusseldorf
There has not been a comparative show of this radical, complex, epoch-making and influential work since 1988. "As far as the eye can see" is the most important retrospective in many years to be devoted to this radical, complex, and epochal artist. The focal point of this exhibition is formed by approximately 50 language works and a number of works executed according to them. Also featured are 10 early paintings, a sculpture, and circa 30 drawings. The presentation also includes circa 200 artist's books and multiples as well as circa 230 posters. The exhibition itself is supplemented by works installed in the city's public spaces and those appearing in a daily newspaper.
The exhibition LAWRENCE WEINER: AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE is a retrospective on the oeuvre of one of the cofounders of so-called Conceptual Art. There has not been a comparative show of this radical, complex, epoch-making and influential work since 1988. The exhibition has already been held at the Whitney Museum in New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. The only European presentation will now take place at K21.
The works on display range from the paintings produced in the 1960’s to the innovative language-based works which have made the artist internationally known over the past forty years. With sculpture as a point of departure, he realised early on that it made no difference to him whether a work was produced by the artist, by someone else, or whether it was not carried out at all and only existed as a verbal expression.
For Lawrence Weiner art is about “relationships between human beings and objects, and between objects and other objects in relation to human beings”. This concept which is based on materials and their interconnection explains why he also refers to his language-based works as sculptures.
These works deal with an endless variety of physical and cultural phenomena. Figures of speech, punctuation and graphic elements are used in order to break down conventional hierarchies and boundaries. These works address both simple and complex issues, and are both theoretically and poetically challenging.
Initially Weiner favoured a particularly matter-of-fact typography for his works. However, since the eighties he has developed an increasingly wide spectrum of printing styles and graphic elements.
Weiner’s works are often created for specific places, although they are generally transferable to other situations. It is important to him that they should adapt to the culture in question. For example, as a rule, they are not only shown in English but also in the language of the country.
Fifty of these language based works and also several created later on, make up the core of the exhibition at K21. In addition, six early paintings, a sculpture and about 30 drawings will be shown.
Apart from that, over 200 artist’s books and multiples of all kinds, and also about 230 posters will be on display. An audio guide will give visitors an impression of Weiner’s acoustic works.
The exhibition in K21 will be supplemented by works in public places which show Weiner’s incredibly flexible kind of art in connection with everyday life.
The spectrum ranges from an almost 100 metre long work on the façade of the currently closed K20 building, to sporadic interventions in one of the most important daily newspapers of North Rhine-Westphalia, to a tram decorated with a language-based work which will be deployed in Düsseldorf during the show. The exhibition’s extension into the city’s environs is partly inspired by the fact that early on Weiner established intense connections with Europe and also with the Rhineland.
Since 1969 important shows on his work have been taking place here. Collectors and museums started purchasing his creations. Earlier than anywhere else, critics and audiences were confronted with the radical quality and extent of his oeuvre.
Catalogue
The English-language catalogue “AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE” of the partner museums The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York was published at Yale University Press. English, 412 pages, 202 colour plates.
Price 54,80 €.
This exhibition was organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
Image: Exhibition view in K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
Sven Bergmann
Head of Media Relations Telephone: +49 (0) 211 8381 - 630 Fax: +49 (0) 211 8381 - 601 bergmann@kunstsammlung.de
Nordrhein-Westfalen
Ständehausstraße 1 - 40217 Düsseldorf
Opening Hours K21
Tuesdays to Fridays 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays