Lawrence Weiner

Text by Lawrence Weiner.

Lawrence Weiner (born February 10, 1942 – December 2, 2021) is an American conceptual artist, who was one of the central figures in the formation of conceptual art in the 1960s. His work often takes the form of typographic texts.

Quotes

• I do not mind objects, but I do not care to make them.
  • Lawrence Weiner (1960s), quotes in: Edward Allington. "About Time," in Frieze, Issue 92 June-August 2005

• 1. The artist may construct the piece.

2. The piece may be fabricated.

3. The piece need not be built.

Each being equal and consistent with the intent of the artist the decision as to condition rests with the receiver upon the occasion of receivership.

• Lawrence Weiner. "Declaration of Intent" (1968); cited in: Lucy R. Lippard (1973). Six Years: The Dematerialization of the Art Object from 1966 to 1972. p. xvii

• ... the fact is, they are sculptures, since they show the relationship of object to object and that is the idea and purpose of a sculpture. I’ve got nothing against ‘poetry,’ but it’s only resonance and tempo. Each of my works is perhaps also indeed a poetic sculpture. It’s not that I think it’s a bad word, poetry, but I’m not a poet, since a poet is concerned with the relationship of human beings to human beings.
  • Gerti Fietzek, Gregor Stemmrich. Having been said: writings & interviews of Lawrence Weiner, 1968-2003, Hatje Cantz, 2004. p. 158

• Once you know about a work of mine you own it. There's no way I can climb inside somebody's head and remove it.
  • Lawrence Weiner, cited in: Nika Knight. "Slowly Adapting Art: Moving with the Times: Re-installing Originals," in: The Oberlin Review, April 27, 2007.

• I didn’t come from a background that had any idea about what contemporary art was, it was not anti or pro, it had nothing to do with it. I do remember something my mother said when I was sixteen. I was going off to college, and I said, “I think I’m going to be an artist, not a professor of philosophy.” They all assumed I would be a professor because I’m good at logic, and she looked at me and she said, “Lawrence, you’ll break your heart.” And I said, “Why?” And she said, “Art is for rich people and women.”
  • Lawrence Weiner in: Thessaly La Force, "STUDIO VISIT Lawrence Weiner," at theparisreview.org/blog, February 14, 2011.

• What makes art interesting is the fact that anyone can realize it as soon as the idea has been formulated. That’s the point.
  • "Art Dictionary: Lawrence Weiner, A Sculptor of Language," at hatjecantz.de. 2012.