Since art is a vehicle for the transmission of ideas through form, the reproduction of the form only reinforces the concept. It is the idea that is being reproduced. Anyone who understands the work of art owns it. We all own the Mona Lisa.                                                                                                                                                     

Sol LeWitt

Coop LeWitt: (re)constructing Sol LeWitt                                                                                                                                                           

Coop LeWitt North (pictured) was one of two (the other South, 2009) Coop LeWitt's inspired by Chance Encounters (since 2019 four). Conceived as shelter for the white Padovana Cockeral Shinnecock, who crossed the road to follow Sandrow home, and his family flock; inspired by a spider on a LeWitt wall drawing at Dia Beacon. LeWitt's practice to Sandrow’s in form and perspective: modeled on his India ink drawings in the 1982 series Forms Derived from a Cube and (re)constructed into four dimensions (fourth being Time).

Viewers observed the construction of Coop LeWitt  North and South via four network cameras (a dozen since 2013 compose Happening Live)  streaming real time audio, still frames and video online. A setting for interaction between people and the natural world.  A landscape once painted by plein air painter William Merritt Chase when he lived, painted and taught nearby one hundred twelve years ago.

The stockade pickets reference Colonialists practice of claiming land from Native Americans by fencing “in” domestic farm animals such as the chicken (reference “Creatures of Empire How Domestic Animals Transformed Early America by Virginia DeJohn Anderson”). The steel spirals, balls and glass letters placed to reflect light as an effort to repel flying predators Hawks Heron, Eagle.

Coop LeWitt North

2009 - 2019   9' x 9’x 14.5' 

Wood, Stockade Pickets, Polycarbonate, Steel Reflecting Balls and Lures, Glass Letters, Padovana Partridge Hen Barbary with Cuckoo Rooster Mercury, Full Moon open air studio Shinnecock Hills