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The colours and lines of Sol LeWitt in Athens

02 October 2011 / 16:10:41  GRReporter
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October, 1 2011 - January 29, 2012 
Friday: 13:00 to 19:00
Saturday-Sunday: 11:00 to 19:00
Monday-Thursday: closed 

From October 1, 2011 to January 29, 2011 the "Herakleidon museum" will present an exhibition of works by American artist Sol LeWitt. All works, donated by the artist himself, are part of the collection of the New Britain Museum of American Art. 

The exhibition, which is promoted by the U.S. Embassy in Athens, includes 115 works by Sol LeWitt, mainly engravings (such as lithographs, engravings on copper and wood), as well as his first painting with oil paints and gouache (a type of water paint), and monotype prints. Sol LeWitt's work is characterized by its geometric shapes and bright colours. 

Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) was born in Connecticut, USA. He graduated in Fine Arts from Syracuse University in upstate New York. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he settled in New York, where he attended courses at the School of Visual Arts and worked in the library of the Museum of Modern Art. He became known in the late 60s, thanks to his paintings and "structures", a term which he himself used regarding his works. He also created a large number of works in other media, such as drawing, painting, graphics and photography. 

The work of Sol LeWitt was initially associated with Minimalism, but was later associated with conceptual art, as many consider him to be the "father" of this movement. In 1967 he wrote "Paragraphs on Conceptual Art", in which he states that the idea or concept of a work is more important than the form through which the artist conveys his idea. It is also considered that conceptual art is first mentioned when LeWitt himself wrote: "I will call the type of art I create conceptual art." 

Just as a composer creates a composition which is performed by different performers in a different way, Sol LeWitt laid down detailed instructions for creating his paintings, which were subsequently executed by others: it was the idea that was important. 

The cube occupied an important place in the early works of LeWitt, and from 1980 he began to use circles and triangles. By using isometric projection he gave two-dimensional works the impression of three-dimensional shape. 

When he died, the New York Times characterized LeWitt as "... a supporter and friend of all artists, young and old ... the opposite of what makes a celebrity." Everyone who knew him personally will never forget his generosity. 

The work of Sol LeWitt has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, both when he was alive and after his death. His works can be found in many major museums worldwide, but also adorn public buildings and parks. 

Tags: LeWitt museum Athens exhibition art
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