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| Born in Long Beach,
California, Robert Irwin attended three Los Angeles art institutes:
Otis, Jopson, and Chouinard. Irwin first exhibited at the L.A.
County Museum of Art in 1952. He was deeply affected by the Abstract
Expressionists and continued their efforts
in reducing painting to its basic elements. Irwin’s chief
concern to this day is the idea that art is a dialogue between
the viewer and the artwork. Beginning in the late ‘50s,
Irwin worked among a group of Los Angeles artists including
Larry Bell and Craig Kauffman, who shared an interest in light,
reflection, and transparency. Irwin also influenced a younger
generation of artists as a member of the art faculty at University
of California, Irvine. Irwin’s more
recent interest in architecture can be seen in his collaborations
with museums such as MCASD and Dia Beacon. Robert Irwin has experimented with light and space in his artwork for more than 40 years. In his artwork 1°2°3°4°, he continues that trend through what might appear to be a simple process. In fact, the square spaces you see in this artwork were cut from the existing windows in a process that can be very difficult to do without damaging the remaining glass. This complicated procedure is part of the experimentation that Irwin enjoys most about working with materials like glass. The effect created by removing these squares is truly amazing, creating a kind of a picture window looking directly out onto the sculpture garden below and the sea beyond the museum gates. When standing before the squares, one can hear the ocean waves pounding, and smell the salt air, all while standing within the gallery space. Irwin has blended these two spaces of outside and inside by simply removing three squares from the windows. The experience of the viewer while standing in front of this artwork is very important to Irwin. He believes that his artwork is not complete until the viewer interacts with it. His choice of square spaces reflects the fact that he was part of the Minimalist movement of the 1960s. Minimalist artists often used simple, geometric shape in their artwork, like squares, triangles, and rectangles.  (For Grades 4-6) How do you think this artwork was created? What do you think it would feel like to stand in front of this artwork? Imagine what you would hear and smell. How would this artwork appear different in the middle of the day versus at the end of the day? What materials and shapes does the artist use in this artwork? |
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Robert Irwin United States, born 1928 1°2°3°4° Apertures cut into existing windows, 1997 Museum purchase in honor of Ruth Gribin with funds from Ruth and Murray Gribin and Ansley I. Graham Trust, Los Angeles 1997.18.1-5 © Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego |
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