Art Lesson: Sol LeWitt
We were first introduced to artist Sol LeWitt when we were looking for an apartment to rent for our year in Spoleto. La Torre dell'Artista was the first house we found. It's location did not fit our criteria but its history was rich and interesting. It is where Sol LeWitt settled after leaving America in 1980, and is nestled high above town in the sacred woods where we so love to meander.
Our second introduction came in Charleston when Lucinda Child's Dance was performed on a black and white film backdrop by this diverse artist.
In Spoleto, his works are in the art museum and one of the hotels. One evening, we dined with an art historian, Cecelia Metelli, who co-wrote Sol LeWitt: Artist's Books (LeWitt is closely identified with the book as an art form). Did I ever mention what a small town Spoleto is?
In addition, our friend, Francesca's new apartment is directly above Sol LeWitt's in town art studio.
The final very cool LeWitt connection occurred last night. Our "neighbors" are a family from Amsterdam. Laurie and Norma introduced us and we invited them over for aperitivi for their last night in town. Chris and Sarah are film makers and are in Spoleto to make a full length film about this famous artist. The Netherlands have loved LeWitt since his beginnings and he is prominently shown there.
It intrigues me how one man, no longer with us, can unite so many people in a little Umbrian town.
Solomon "Sol" LeWitt (September 9, 1928 -April 8, 2007) was an American artist linked to various movements, including Conceptual art and Minimalism. LeWitt came to fame in the late 1960s with his wall drawings and "structures" (a term he preferred instead of "sculptures") but was prolific in a wide range of media including drawing, printmaking, and painting. He has been the subject of hundreds of solo exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world since 1965.
Our second introduction came in Charleston when Lucinda Child's Dance was performed on a black and white film backdrop by this diverse artist.
In Spoleto, his works are in the art museum and one of the hotels. One evening, we dined with an art historian, Cecelia Metelli, who co-wrote Sol LeWitt: Artist's Books (LeWitt is closely identified with the book as an art form). Did I ever mention what a small town Spoleto is?
In addition, our friend, Francesca's new apartment is directly above Sol LeWitt's in town art studio.
The final very cool LeWitt connection occurred last night. Our "neighbors" are a family from Amsterdam. Laurie and Norma introduced us and we invited them over for aperitivi for their last night in town. Chris and Sarah are film makers and are in Spoleto to make a full length film about this famous artist. The Netherlands have loved LeWitt since his beginnings and he is prominently shown there.
It intrigues me how one man, no longer with us, can unite so many people in a little Umbrian town.
Every generation renews itself in its own way;
there's always a reaction against whatever is standard.
-Sol LeWitt
there's always a reaction against whatever is standard.
-Sol LeWitt
1 comments:
And I am intrigued that an American artist is so influential in Europe! (Usually it is the opposite.)
That house he lived in is beautiful. I love the layout.
But you couldn't have lived there, because then you wouldn't have a cobbler...
***
Post a Comment