Sol Lewitt

I drove into Cleveland with a friend last week. It was a perfect day; blue sky, no rain, and it wasn’t hot. I studied the landscape and saw some serene pastoral scenes with horses and cows grazing, bales of hay tied up, and well-kept green fields.

My friend and I were headed to the Cleveland Museum of Art to see the Sol Lewitt special exhibit. I have recently become acquainted with his work through my friend. Sol Lewitt (1928-2007) was an American artist linked to various movements, including Conceptual Art (use of concept and ideas) and Minimalism (uses pared down design elements).

Lewitt came to fame in the 60s with his wall drawings and structures. His range of media included drawing, print making, photography, and painting. There are two pieces of his art on walls at the Pittsburgh Museum and the Butler Museum. What I would later come to realize is that Lewitt designs a particular painting, puts it down on paper, and adds which colors are to be used. Those wall paintings are not on canvas but are  on the walls itself; the wall is the canvas.

Along with Lewitt’s work at the Cleveland Museum, were a number of pieces by his friend, Eva Hesse (1936-1970). Hesse is one of the artists who ushered in the Post Minimal Art movement in the 60s.

The exhibit was definitely worth the 2-1/2 hour drive. It was the icing on our already perfect trip to Cleveland.

The Cleveland Museum is a really special and beautiful place to visit. Plus, it is free!