ART-PRESENTATION: Sol LeWitt-17 Wall Drawings

The exhibition “Sol LeWitt. 17 Wall Drawings. 1970-2015” revolves around one of LeWitt’s basic theoretical principles, the supremacy of the idea and of the creative process over the work of art proper. As the artist pointed out: “The idea is the machine that makes the work of art”. In order to execute these Wall Drawings, the artist developed a singular work method based on simple logical or mathematical instructions that anyone could be carry out.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Botín Foundation Archive

The techniques and forms of the Wall Drawings evolved as time passed. While the early ones were made in black pencil and, subsequently, in colour pencils, at the beginning of the 1980’s LeWitt began to employ ink washes, which conferred the pieces a quality similar to fresco painting. From 1997 he introduced acrylic paint, creating broad fields of intense, vivid colours. Sixteen of the Wall Drawings from the selection on display in the exhibition, executed between 1970-2015, have never been shown before in Spain, only the last drawing was previously shown in Spain in 1989, and most of them have never been shown again since they were first made. The works reflect the extraordinary consistency of LeWitt’s systematic explorations and the notable diversity and evolution of his artistic praxis, both from a stylistic point of view (from his simple geometric figures to continuous and complex forms) and in terms of the variety of media used. Lastly, a relevant collection of documents related to the artist and his work will be on display in the exhibition.

Info: Sol LeWitt. 17 Wall Drawings. 1970-2015, Curating: John Hogan & Benjamin Weil, Botín Foundation, Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola 3, Santander, Spain, Duration: 18/7/15-10/1/16, Days & Hours: Daily: 10:30-21:00, www.fundacionbotin.org