Sol LeWitt
This exhibition was on show until 1 April 2024
Sol LeWitt
On 30 October, the Jewish Museum launched an exhibition of work by Jewish American artist Sol LeWitt. The show features four of his massive wall drawings specially recreated here. Also on display are sculptures, art on paper and archive material. LeWitt was one of the founders of conceptual art: the notion that an idea is in itself art. The exhibition explores LeWitt’s Jewish background and his special connection with the Netherlands.
Not to be missed
Wall drawings, cubes
Many see Sol LeWitt as the founder of both conceptual art and minimal art. He explained that art did not need to be executed by the artist, or anyone for that matter, the idea was in itself art.
LeWitt created over 1,200 wall drawings. He wrote precise instructions so that others could do the actual painting. For this exhibition, his instructions will be carried out by art students from Utrecht’s Hogeschool voor de Kunsten. The wall drawings are temporary and will be painted over when the show ends. The cube is the basic form in his spatial work. He called his sculptures of white cubes in everchanging constellations structures.
About Sol LeWitt (1928-2007)
Sol LeWitt was the son of Jewish migrants from Russia. He led a secular life, yet he also identified with his Jewish heritage. His wife Carol describes LeWitt as ‘a deeply observant non-believer’. He joined a Jewish community in the 1980s, for which he eventually designed and built a synagogue. His Jewish identity found expression in several relatively little-known projects featured in the exhibition.
Netherlands
Dutch museums, galleries, collectors and artists played a key role in Sol LeWitt’s career from the start. In 1970, his first solo show in Europe was at the Hague Municipal Museum, now the Kunstmuseum. At the time, LeWitt was also working with the famous international Art & Project gallery in Amsterdam. Many of his friends figured prominently in the Dutch art scene of the 1970s, such as conceptual artist Jan Dibbets, curator Enno Develing and the collectors Mia and Martin Visser.
This exhibition is no longer on show.
Check our agenda for current exhibitions.
Playground
During the exhibition of the famous American artist Sol LeWitt in the Jewish Museum, you can also play with art in the Sol Playground! Using the puzzle pieces from large murals, you will be able to create your own Sol Lewitt or create your own composition. In addition, a booklet of viewing tips for families are available at the checkout. The museum regularly hosts special 'Sol drawing days' during the school holidays and weekends.
Soundscape
Music and Technology students from the Utrecht School of the Arts have created soundscapes for Wall Drawing #391, Wall Drawing #780 and Wall Drawings #852 and #853.
Bring your headphones to our museum for an on-site sound experience of the wall drawings!
Made possible by
Vriendenloterij, Stichting Collectieve Maror-Gelden Nederland,Turing Foundation, Cultuurfonds, Salomon de Jong Stichting, Prof. dr. Herman Musaph Fonds, Jonas Daniël Meijer Fonds, Tim Uppelschoten Fonds, Hans Ham Fonds, Stichting Vrienden van het Joods Cultureel Kwartier.