MARTIN CREED

I recently stopped by the new Hauser & Wirth outpost on 18th Street in Chelsea.  Intending to peruse the Dieter & Bjorn Roth exhibition (which I will review shortly in my Art Blanche column), I was pleasantly surprised to discover this Martin Creed installation taking over the entryway.

Creed (b. 1968) is most well-known for his Minimalist, Conceptual works of art such as Work No. 227, the lights going on and off, which won him the Turner Prize in 2001.  The work's title is self-explanatory: Creed orchestrated a 5 seconds on/5 seconds off light cycle in and empty room.

This site-specific installation (Work No. 1461) is anything but empty, featuring a dramatic motif of tape lining the walls.  Evoking the work of many other artists, from Barnett Newman and Donald Judd, to Aakash Nihalani, Creed's installation is a multifacted, colorful experience.

Blouse: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Skirt: Diane von Furstenberg (I love this version from Opening Ceremony)

Mohair Coat: H&M

Purse: Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Leather Glove Purse

Boots: United Nude

[Photos by @kay_elle_pea.]

FOOK ISLAND

Having recently read a short piece on Walter Battiss' Fook Island, this vintage skirt seemed to me the perfect piece to channel Battiss' utopian island ideals.

Walter Battiss (1906-1982) is widely considered the most important South African painter of the 20th century.

Influenced by Ndebele beadwork, calligraphy, and archaeology, Battiss traveled throughout Africa creating religiously symbolic work that gained an international following after a visit to Europe in 1949, where he met and befriended Picasso.

Battiss was also active as an art critic and instructor, and published nine books as well as founding the periodical Del Arte.

During Battiss' later career, he created an imaginary utopian island, which consisted of its own language, plants, animals, and even driver's licenses and passports. Fook Island was Battiss' departure from conceptual art, and gained a following both within the art world and in the general public.

Battiss received an Honorary D Litt et Phil from UNISA for his conception of Fook Island, which gave voice to what Battiss termed "the island inside all of us."

I'm wearing a vintage skirt, vintage leather belt, thrifted blouse, Lauren Merkin leather clutch, and Steve Madden sandals.

[Battiss images from betheredothat.co.za, johansborman.co.za, chessaleeinlondon.wordpress.com, and pelmama.org, respectively.]

WALL DRAWINGS

I haven't really discussed Conceptual art on this blog, mostly because it's difficult (though not impossible) to be visually inspired by an idea. Conceptualism is, by definition, where the idea behind the work is more important than the actual physical execution of it.

Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) is credited with being one of the founders of Conceptualism, as well as a proponent of Minimalism. LeWitt's wall drawings span both movements, therefore they are the perfect inspiration.

LeWitt is well known for works in many different media, including sculpture (he preferred the term structures), printmaking, drawing, and architecture. However, his series of wall drawings is his most well-known legacy.

The wall drawings exist as directions--written words that tell the person who is to execute the work what to do. By following the directions provided by LeWitt, "drawings" are made directly onto the wall in media ranging from lead to acrylic.

This mode of artmaking nearly removes the artist from the equation altogether, except for the ever-important role of the idea.

LeWitt was more interested in the idea behind his work than the work itself--a trademark of Conceptual art. However, the fully executed wall drawings are stunning Minimalist compositions.

Unlike some other Conceptual artists, LeWitt thought it necessary to actually create the work he prescribed in order to judge its overall effect. For artists like Joseph Kosuth and Lawrence Weiner, the idea itself was enough to constitute the work.

The colorful block pattern of this blouse reminded me of LeWitt's wall drawings, so I simply added a few of my favorite accessories and a brick wall.

I'm wearing a vintage silk blouse, Habitual denim, Tashkent by Cheyenne suede slouch booties, Cynthia Rowley reptile clutch purse, Juicy Couture necklace, reptile belt borrowed from my Aunt, and a Betsey Johnson faux fur jacket.

[LeWitt images from pbs.org, hubreview.blogspot.com, artnet.com, proa.org, and angelfloresjr.multiply.com, respectively.]