Text and Conceptual Art
With the advent of writing and literature in the 7th- 4th century BC, the written word by humans became the pinnacle of communication. I will explain.
The world's oldest printed book, with a public domain dedication, is a Buddhist text - the Diamond Sutra, aka Diamond Cutter Sutra, dating from 868 AD.
The oldest mechanically printed book is the Gutenberg Bible, aka 42-line Bible from 1454-1455 AD.
The Book of Kells, from Scotland, is from the 11th century AD and can be viewed online.
Engraved scrimshaw from New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA displays writing on a sperm whale tooth, "Wiscasset of Wiscasset Tooth" (1836).
Varying types of text depend on materials, type style, color, and graphics.
According to Wikipedia: Conceptual art is "art in which the concept or idea is prioritized equally to, or more than, traditional aesthetic, technical, and material concerns."
Considered the father of conceptual art is Marcel Duchamp and his "Fountain" from 1917.
Catalan Spanish artist Joan Miro painted "Photo: This is the Color of My Dreams" [translated from French] (1925).
An artist that doesn't need an introduction is Andy Warhol. His "Campbell's Soup Cans" (1962) from MoMA is a great example of conceptual art.
A pioneer in conceptual art is American Joseph Kosuth. His neon lighting installation "Self-Defined Subject" is from 1966.
American artist Robert Indiana's "LOVE" sculpture from 1970 is a classic work.
American artist Barbara Kruger combined photographs with captions. Her "I Shop Therefore I Am" from 1987.
American neo-conceptual artist Jenny Holzer's work is the "delivery of words and ideas in public space". A fine example is "Words Tend to be Inadequate" (1994).
American artist Cy Twombly is known for doodles and written language. This is seen in "Quattro Stagioni: Estate" from 1993-1995.
Chinese contemporary, conceptual artist Ai Wei Wei painted a logo on a Han dynasty vessel, dating from 206 BC – AD 9. His work is "Urn with Coca-Cola Logo" from 1995.
Scottish-born, London-based, Robert Montgomery's light installation "All Palaces Are Temporary Palaces" (2011).
One of my favorite paintings using text is Jan van Eyck's "The Annunciation" (1434-1436) from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA.
The archangel Gabriel's words in gold read, "Ave gratia plena" when translated to English reads, "Hail, full of grace."
Mary answers "Ecce ancilla domini" written in reverse, translated in English reads, "Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord."
The world's oldest printed book, with a public domain dedication, is a Buddhist text - the Diamond Sutra, aka Diamond Cutter Sutra, dating from 868 AD.
The oldest mechanically printed book is the Gutenberg Bible, aka 42-line Bible from 1454-1455 AD.
The Book of Kells, from Scotland, is from the 11th century AD and can be viewed online.
Engraved scrimshaw from New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA displays writing on a sperm whale tooth, "Wiscasset of Wiscasset Tooth" (1836).
Varying types of text depend on materials, type style, color, and graphics.
According to Wikipedia: Conceptual art is "art in which the concept or idea is prioritized equally to, or more than, traditional aesthetic, technical, and material concerns."
Considered the father of conceptual art is Marcel Duchamp and his "Fountain" from 1917.
Catalan Spanish artist Joan Miro painted "Photo: This is the Color of My Dreams" [translated from French] (1925).
An artist that doesn't need an introduction is Andy Warhol. His "Campbell's Soup Cans" (1962) from MoMA is a great example of conceptual art.
A pioneer in conceptual art is American Joseph Kosuth. His neon lighting installation "Self-Defined Subject" is from 1966.
American artist Robert Indiana's "LOVE" sculpture from 1970 is a classic work.
American artist Barbara Kruger combined photographs with captions. Her "I Shop Therefore I Am" from 1987.
American neo-conceptual artist Jenny Holzer's work is the "delivery of words and ideas in public space". A fine example is "Words Tend to be Inadequate" (1994).
American artist Cy Twombly is known for doodles and written language. This is seen in "Quattro Stagioni: Estate" from 1993-1995.
Chinese contemporary, conceptual artist Ai Wei Wei painted a logo on a Han dynasty vessel, dating from 206 BC – AD 9. His work is "Urn with Coca-Cola Logo" from 1995.
Scottish-born, London-based, Robert Montgomery's light installation "All Palaces Are Temporary Palaces" (2011).
One of my favorite paintings using text is Jan van Eyck's "The Annunciation" (1434-1436) from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA.
The archangel Gabriel's words in gold read, "Ave gratia plena" when translated to English reads, "Hail, full of grace."
Mary answers "Ecce ancilla domini" written in reverse, translated in English reads, "Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord."
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