Depression on Paper

Post Modern Art emerged after the 1970’s and spread rapidly as it was so controversial. The new style called into question everything that constituted as art. Because of this variations, and new mediums including video, emerged. A large movement within Post Modern Art is Conceptual Art. This idea encompasses art that is unique in the fact that is has little monetary value. Its value, rather, lies in its message and the impression it is making on people. These art pieces tell a story, provoke an emotion, or persuade about a given topic.

The theme of my exhibit is looking inside the mind of depression. The isolation and misunderstanding of the brain, and an individual when battling mental illness is hard to write but much easier to express through art. I choose a few pieces that call upon just a few of the aspects of the mental trap that is depression.

Sol LeWitt

Soleman “Sol” Lewitt was an American artist born in 1928 and he died in 2007. had a large role in contributing to the Conceptual movement. He was known for his drawings, and well as sculptures and paintings. One of his unique creation included wall drawings which was a unique medium. He believed that the artist was a creator of ideas. This concept was new in the respect that the artist did not have to depict reality but could create their own. He used a lot of lines and basic colors in his work and then applied them in a formula to create patterns and designs. 

Isometric Projection- Sol LeWitt

 This piece is an ink and pencil drawing and was created on paper. It was made in 1981. This is a clear interpretation of isometrics and a manipulation to turn formula into art. It was very common of LeWitt to derive his art from mathematics. This piece relates to the theme as is shows the trapped feeling of isolation. There is a single figure here, encloses. The outside of the figure is complex and busy with lines all going different directions. This is very symbolic of a person battling mental illness. The confusion and the lack of understanding shine through and it is also open to other meanings and each person is likely to to feel an emotional connection because of their own given experiences.

Wall Drawing #439- Sol Lewitt

 The piece Wall drawing #439 by Sol LeWitt was created in 1985 and was one of many painting and drawings LeWitt did on walls. This piece related to the theme because of the seperation of color. Each color is right next to another and they are all reaching out from the same origin. This shows how people all come from the same pain and the same basis and then spread out. The colors dont overlap and as they continue out the only take up more space and seperate further. The colors seem further from one another yet they are all still touching, and still just as near as they began. when battling mental illness it is easy to forget that people are nearby, or that no victim is alone in their thinking.

Wall Drawing #1138- Sol LeWitt

Wall Drawing #1138 by Sol LeWitt was created in 2004. It is a other example of his work with wall drawing however this piece was done much later in his career. There is a lot going on in this piece. The lines are busy, chaotic, and vary in pattern. They have varying depth as well. There is bright colors to the right but also black and white lines to the left. The lines to the left are much simpler. This piece relates to the theme because to the left there is simplicity and calm, the exterior of a person, but to the right, around a corner, there is panic. This shows how one person can have many sides or many feelings. This is a visualization of chaos and it's depth is also suggestive of many emotions conflicting. The wall drawing can't decide where it wants to rest and that's also fitting to the theme with the lack of rest or understanding.

Joseph Kosuth

Joseph Kosuth is an American artist who was born in 1945 in Ohio. He studied at the Toledo School of Design and then went on to study privately. He was also a Theoretician who believed that words had relationship to themselves. He translated this believe onto art where he created many pieces containing text. He maintained within the theme of Conceptual art and worked to create pieces that told more than could be taken from an initial glance. There was always a deeper meaning, sparking new ideas. Kosuth is still teaching today as a professor and lives in New York and Rome.

Frammento by Joseph Kosuth

Frammento by Joseph Kosuth by created in 1999. I don't know what the words translate into, however the first thing that came to my mind was: simple. The piece has no color, and no depth. Even that notes on the bar all single and they not even vary much in length or key. There is far analysis that could be done if one knew more about music. I liked the simplicity. the beats don't vary, they don't decrease, they just continue on the same speed. This shows a lot about people who carry on day to day and do not change their ways because they fear the repercussions.

The Phenomenon of the Library by Joseph Kosuth

 The Phenomenon of the Library was created with a series of different setting in specific scenarios that Kosuth picked out. The piece was created in 2006. I choose this piece because it seemed dated and older than the piece actually was. This lead me to believe that it was on purpose and that the age is on purpose. The projections on the walls were dark and dreary. Libraries were commonly used for checking out books and finding information. Today they are used as a place to study. Although the library carried on, the books serve less purpose. Yet they are still there and they get to watch as people come in and evolve, needing them less and less. This was powerful to be because I felt it symbolized abandonment.

Text/Context by Joseph Kosuth

Text/Context was created by Joesph Kosuth in 1979 using specific settings and interpretation. I choose this piece because it didn't make sense to me. The words looked as if they didn't belong where they were places. They are too small to read and not logical to be created that small as a billboard. Those could be the best words ever written but in the wrong place they are useless. This spoke to me. This says a lot about all of us. If we have strengths or abilities but we are not the right setting to use them it is useless. This makes it seem that the talents or value(s) doesn't exist when it does. Untapped potential is heartbreaking and leads to false doubt and conflict. These feelings were strong enough that I thought others would get the same impression.

Works Cited

Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation . Guggenheim: Joseph Kosuth. 2015. http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/collection-online/artists/bios/1070/Joseph%20Kosuth. 15 November 2015.

Art, Encyclopedia of. Conceptual Art. 2015. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/conceptual-art.htm#conceptualism. 15 11 2015.

Artsy. Sol Lewitt. 2015. https://m.artsy.net/artist/sol-lewitt. 15 11 2015.

Dia Art Foundation . Sol LeWitt. 16 September 2006. http://m.diaart.org/exhibitions/main/3. 15 November 2015.

MASSACHUSETTS MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART . Sol LeWitt:A wall drawing retrospective. 2008. http://www.massmoca.org/lewitt/. 15 11 2015.

Modern Art Insight. Joseph Kosuth. 2015. http://m.theartstory.org/artist-kosuth-joseph.htm. 15 November 2015.

—. Sol LeWitt Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works. 2015. http://www.m.theartstory.org/artist-lewitt-sol.htm. 15 11 2015.