Words as Art Text in art has been called “one of the most defining developments of art of the 20 th century” Used in Data (19teens and 20s) to question whether or not art exists Was used in the 1960s to explain to modern art Eventually text was seen as art in-itself Rene Magritte: This is not a pipe. It’s a painting!

Words as Art Text as a way to convey a direct message Text for self expression Text to evoke emotion

Mel Bochner (1940) Father of the Conceptual Art movement Pioneered several exhibition strategies Many of his paintings include words

Mel Bochner Repetition Color Theory Linear Texture Layering

Rupprecht Matthies German artist born 1959 Background in sociology Evident in his community based art Uses words in various languages to create sculptures

Rupprecht Matthies Exhibit in the Denver Art Museum Asked clients of community centers around Denver the question: What word makes you think of home? Created pillows, mobiles, wall pieces in 13 different languages

Rupprecht Matthies Write down three words that make you think of home. Memories, a food, family members, a pet, etc.

Dan Miller 1961 Diagnosed with autism Few conventional verbal communication skills Much of his art contains words

Dan Miller What are the words? Daily encounters Family history Objects in his home town Text layered on top of text until words become almost illegible Uses images such as light bulbs and books in his paintings/drawings

Dan Miller Combines expressive and conceptual approaches Uses layering to give his work texture

Dan Miller In the box on your worksheet, practice layering like Dan Miller and Mel Bochner