"The Crux of Conceptualism"

After reading Johanna Drucker’s article, entitled “The Crux of Conceptualism” my conventional perception of artwork has been widened through the explanation of this avant-garde component of modern art. While the material and explanation was somewhat dense and complex, I feel that I understand the basis of Conceptual Art and certainly its overall importance to the class.

When I first started reading the article, the convolution deterred me from fully understanding, but after I reread the first couple pages, I started to grasp the idea of Conceptual Art. In the end I came to the conclusion that Conceptual Art is a relatively new form of artwork in which the deeper ideas and notions associated the specific piece of artwork take precedence over the aesthetic pleasure of the artwork. This type of art is most closely linked to language and philosophical or thought-provoking ideas that have deep meanings. One aspect that really intrigued me is the idea that in Conceptual Art, there is a separation of material and “idea” forms. I find it very interesting to be able to look at an aesthetically stark or bland piece of artwork and see its deeper beautiful meaning. Another aspect that intrigues me is the argument that conceptual art shifted the groundwork of the value of an art object from production and conception. I suppose the overall idea of the in-depth conception of the Conceptual art is the most interesting thing I discovered.

Overall, I absolutely adore Drucker’s analysis of Conceptualism in that she describes how this form of art breaks away from orthodox art (if such a thing exists). Her mentally stimulating exploration revels an entire different perspective of art that I probably would have never delved into.

The piece of artwork that I chose to depict Conceptualism is a simple phrase painted on a wall that I believe has a very deep meaning, despite its bland aesthetics. I think the piece of artwork delves into American consumerism and the idealistic but illusional happiness Capitalism.