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A two-part exhibition curated by Regine Basha
The story of Sol LeWitt's exchanges with other artists is by now
widely known. Though most artists engage in this process at one
point or another, LeWitt seemed fully committed to it as an
artistic code of conduct, a way of life. Eva Hesse, Robert
Mangold, Hanna Darboven, and Robert Ryman are just a few of
LeWitt's celebrated contemporaries with whom the artist
exchanged works. Such exchanges were not limited to well-
known artists, however: LeWitt consistently traded works with
admirers whom he did not know but who had nevertheless sent
their work to him, as well as amateur artists with whom he
interacted in his daily life. LeWitt's exchanges—he responded to
every work he received by sending back one of his own—
fostered an ongoing form of artistic communion and, in some
cases, a source of support and patronage. The Sol LeWitt
Private Collection retains all of the works he received, as well as
a record of what he offered in return.
For LeWitt, the act of exchange seemed to be not only a
personal gesture, but also an integral part of his conceptual
practice. In addition to encouraging the circulation of artworks
through a gift economy that challenged the art world's
dominant economic model, LeWitt's exchanges with strangers
have the same qualities of generosity, and risk, that
characterized his work in general. This kind of exchange was
designed to stage an encounter between two minds, outside the
familiar confines of friendship.
If we consider the process of exchange as another of Sol
LeWitt's instructional pieces, then the rational (or irrational)
thing to do is to continue to exchange work and ideas, if only
symbolically, with him.
—This is a call to those who share an affinity with Sol LeWitt's
legacy as a conceptual artist, to those who knew him and those
who did not—to anyone who has ever wondered, "What would
Sol LeWitt like?"
—Guidelines
Your gift to Sol LeWitt can take the form of an image, an
object, a piece of music, or a film. Books, ephemera, and other
non-perishable items (e.g. wine) are also welcome. Other ideas
may be discussed with the curator.
2D contributions should be no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches; 3D
contributions should be no larger than 12 x 12 x 12 inches.
All contributions will be exhibited at either Cabinet or MASS
MoCA. The curator will notify you of the location of your
contribution by 1 December 2010.
Contributions can be dropped off, mailed, emailed, or faxed
between September 15th and October 15th:
An Exchange with Sol LeWitt
c/o Cabinet
300 Nevins Street
Brooklyn NY 11217, USA
Fax: + 1 718 222-3700
Email: exchangelewitt@gmail.com
A publication documenting the contributions will accompany
the shows and will be presented at the conclusion of the project
to all participants.
Please note that we cannot return your contribution. You can,
however, pick it up at the end of the exhibition if prior
arrangements have been made.
For further information, please contact Regine Basha at
exchangelewitt@gmail.com.
http://www.cabinetmagazine.org
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