Richard Artschwager

If Richard Artschwager's laconic, concisely handcrafted works deny excessive verbalization (How much can you say about a black oval without worrying that the oval is laughing at you?), the artist's use of the written word to express his sculptural and pictorial ideas comes as a pleasant surprise. Artschwager has always jotted down indispensable notes and written articles for special occasions, taking up specific aspects of his work in a way that allows for a concentrated viewing of the art, as well as a glimpse into the artist. His sharp insight into and articulation of the prerequisites of his work and the philosophical questions touched on, plus his emphasis on art praxis, lend these texts an exemplary character.