Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawing #370

Sol LeWitt (American, 1928–2007) executed drawings by hand throughout his life; in 1968 he extricated his work from the confines of the frame and transferred it directly to the wall. The wall compositions were designed for limited duration and maximum flexibility within a broad range of architectural settings. Initially executed by drafters, these works in their finished state were most often slated for destruction.

A seminal practitioner of Conceptual Art, LeWitt emphasized the creative idea that generates a work of art, as opposed to the work's material existence. "For each work of art that becomes physical," he wrote, "there are many variations that do not."

Sol LeWitt's 1982 Wall Drawing #370: Ten Geometric Figures (including right triangle, cross, X, diamond) with three-inch parallel bands of lines in two directions  was installed at the Museum over a period of four weeks. The drawing will be on view in its complete state through January 1, 2017, when it will be painted over.

Credit: Exhibition Overview from the Metropolitan Museum website


Whether you go or not, Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawings tracks tracks the creation of one drawing, showing that "The contribution brought by the draftsman may not be predicted by the artist, even when the artist is also the draftsman."