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  1. Sol LeWitt's 'Sentences on Conceptual Art'
  2. full word version
  3. full word version with frequency
  4. single word version
  5. single word version with frequency
  6. with suffix / derivative grouping
  7. frequency of two or more, full word version
  8. frequency of two or more, single word version
  9. minus determiner, predeterminer, prepositives, pronouns, conjunctive verbs, etc. full word version
  10. minus determiner, predeterminer, prepositives, pronouns, conjunctive verbs, etc. single word version
  11. verbs and adverbs only, full word version (after #9 / #10)
  12. verbs and adverbs only, single word version (after #9 / #10)
  13. nouns only, full word version
  14. nouns only, single word version
  15. nouns only with frequency of two or more, full word version
  16. nouns only with frequency of two or more, single word version
  17. nouns only with frequency of three or more, full word version
  18. nouns only with frequency of three or more, single word version
  19. nouns only with frequency of four or more, full word version
  20. nouns only with frequency of four or more, single word version
  21. nouns only with frequency of five or more, full word version
  22. nouns only with frequency of five or more, single word version
  23. nouns only with frequency of six or more, full word version
  24. nouns only with frequency of six or more, single word version
  25. nouns only with frequency of ten or more, full word version
  26. nouns only with frequency of ten or more, single word version
  27. nouns only with frequency of 12 or more, full word version
  28. nouns only with frequency of 12 or more, single word version
  29. nouns only with frequency of 25 or more, full word version
  30. nouns only with frequency of 25 or more, single word version

Deconstruction of Sol LeWitt's 'Sentences on Conceptual Art'

Sentences on Conceptual Art by Sol LeWitt

First published in 0-9 (New York), 1969, and Art-Language (England), May 1969


  1. Conceptual artists are mystics rather than rationalists. They leap to conclusions that logic cannot reach.

  2. Rational judgements repeat rational judgements.

  3. Irrational judgements lead to new experience.

  4. Formal art is essentially rational.

  5. Irrational thoughts should be followed absolutely and logically.

  6. If the artist changes his mind midway through the execution of the piece he compromises the result and repeats past results.

  7. The artist's will is secondary to the process he initiates from idea to completion. His willfulness may only be ego.

  8. When words such as painting and sculpture are used, they connote a whole tradition and imply a consequent acceptance of this tradition, thus placing limitations on the artist who would be reluctant to make art that goes beyond the limitations.

  9. The concept and idea are different. The former implies a general dorection while the latter is the component. Ideas implement the concept.

  10. Ideas can be works of art; they are in a chain of development that may eventually find some form. All ideas need not be made physical.

  11. Ideas do not necessarily proceed in logical order. They may set one off in unexpected directions, but an idea must necessarily be completed in the mind before the next one is formed.

  12. For each work of art that becomes physical there are many variations that do not.

  13. A work of art may be understood as a conductor from the artist's mind to the viewer's. But it may never reach the viewer, or it may never leave the artist's mind.

  14. The words of one artist to another may induce an idea chain, if they share the same concept.

  15. Since no form is intrinsically superior to another, the artist may use any form, from an expression of words (written or spoken) to physical reality, equally.

  16. If words are used, and they proceed from ideas about art, then they are art and not literature; numbers are not mathematics.

  17. All ideas are art if they are concerned with art and fall within the conventions of art.

  18. One usually understands the art of the past by applying the convention of the present, thus misunderstanding the art of the past.

  19. The conventions of art are altered by works of art.

  20. Successful art changes our understanding of the conventions by altering our perceptions.

  21. Perception of ideas leads to new ideas.

  22. The artist cannot imagine his art, and cannot perceive it until it is complete.

  23. The artist may misperceive (understand it differently from the artist) a work of art but still be set off in his own chain of thought by that misconstrual.

  24. Perception is subjective.

  25. The artist may not necessarily understand his own art. His perception is neither better nor worse than that of others.

  26. An artist may perceive the art of others better than his own.

  27. The concept of a work of art may involve the matter of the piece or the process in which it is made.

  28. Once the idea of the piece is established in the artist's mind and the final form is decided, the process is carried out blindly. There are many side effects that the artist cannot imagine. These may be used as ideas for new works.

  29. The process is mechanical and should not be tampered with. It should run its course.

  30. There are many elements involved in a work of art. The most important are the most obvious.

  31. If an artist uses the same form in a group of works, and changes the material, one would assume the artist's concept involved the material.

  32. Banal ideas cannot be rescued by beautiful execution.

  33. It is difficult to bungle a good idea.

  34. When an artist learns his craft too well he makes slick art.

  35. These sentences comment on art, but are not art.