Conceptual Art

"In conceptual art the idea or concept is the most important aspect of the work. When an artist uses a conceptual form of art, it means that all of the planning and decisions are made beforehand and the execution is a perfunctory affair. The idea becomes a machine that makes the art." - Sol Lewitt

In other words, conceptual art focuses on the concept. The concept, the idea itself drives the art in very unique ways.

Artist: Joseph Kosuth (Jan 31, 1945) American

Art movement: Conceptual art

Joseph Kosuth was a pioneer in the development of conceptual art during the 60's. He analyzed the linguistic nature of art and researched in depth the implications of all aspects of art.

Example of artwork

Here is an example

Elements
Direction: Horizontal, stability
Texture: Physical
Value: Big contrast between words and background, drawing attention only to the sentence

Principles
Contrast: Centered around words and background drawing attention only to the sentence
Harmony: Words in same font

Dominance: Non-existing

Unity: Font and colour of text are the same, suggesting strong unity

Four colours four words

Elements
Direction: Horizontal, stability
Texture: Physical
Colour: 4 different colours each to represent one word, showing difference
Value: The tonal difference between the colour of the text and the background really focuses everything only on the text

Principles
Repetition: The word FOUR is repeated but in different colours, suggesting difference and similarity at the same time
Contrast: Allows focus on text
Harmony: Text has the same font throughout
Dominance: The word FOUR in red colour stands out calling focus to the fact that FOUR is used again
Unity: Difference in colour allows the text to be read easily allowing viewer to examine art piece without making big jumps

One and three frames

Elements
Line: Straight lines used to make frames
Direction: Horizontal, stability
Size: About equal for all 3 frames
Texture: Visual
Value: Varies along the whole art piece, no immediate center of attention

Principles
Gradation: Dark, light, dark, adds a little bit of movement
Repetition: With variation, allowing each frame to be viewed individually without drawing attention away from the art piece as a whole
Harmony: Mix of black, white and gray colour tones, giving a sense of unity yet uniqueness at the same time
Dominance: Non-existing
Unity: Square shaped frames in single file suggests strong unity

References

http://www.ecole-art-aix.fr/article4467.html

http://www.museomadre.it/opere.cfm?id=90