Jasper Johns: New Sculpture and Works on Paper
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Individual Artists
Jasper Johns: New Sculpture and Works on Paper Details
This monograph reproduces sculptures and works on paper completed over the last five years by Jasper Johns (born 1930), who in February 2011 became the first visual artist to receive a Presidential Medal of Honor since 1977. The sculptures, cast in bronze, aluminum and silver from wax originals, feature Johns’ signature number grid and the impressions of various objects and textures, such as choreographer Merce Cunningham’s foot. The recent works on paper include a series of drawings and prints based on three small works Johns made early in 2010 on Shrinky Dinks (a plastic made for children to draw on, which shrinks when heated). Color plates are accompanied by a conversation between Johns and fellow artist Terry Winters, which takes Johns’ newest works as the starting point for a broader discussion of his artistic practice.
Reviews
Jasper Johns (born 1930) continues to be considered one of the most important artists of the mid 20th century who shaped 'American Art' along with his equally famous lover, artist Robert Rauschenberg, and the gay couple - choreographer Merce Cunningham and composer John Cage. These four giants of art carved a path that is still regarded as the most significant movement in the past century: Johns is the only surviving member of that quartet. For most, Johns is known for his American flag paintings and this juxtaposition of letters and numbers, but this catalogue - New Sculpture and Works on Paper, from an exhibition at the Matthew Marks Gallery in New York illustrates the still fecund creative mind of this honored genius.The monograph is basically a discussion between Jasper Johns and fellow artist Terry Winters and the results is an exploration of not only the seeds of creativity expressed by two highly intelligent men, but a recalling of the events of Johns' life and influences. The new works, illustrated very well in both black and white and color photographs, are of the nine sculptures constructed in bronze, silver, white bronze and aluminum whose subject is again numbers, but number used as an integral language - images of spiritual achievement. The concept is well discussed in the conversation between Johns and Winters. The drawings are images of picture puzzles whose initial impression is one of extreme simplicity but on reading Johns' words they represent glimpses into the private self of Jasper Johns.It is not possible to view these works or read these pages without recalling the rather earth shattering life history they represent. 'In 1954, after returning to New York, Jasper Johns met Robert Rauschenberg and they became long-term lovers. In the same period he was strongly influenced by the gay couple Merce Cunningham (a choreographer) and John Cage (a composer). Working together they explored the contemporary art scene, and began developing their ideas on art. In 1958, gallery owner Leo Castelli discovered Johns while visiting Rauschenberg's studio. Castelli gave him his first solo show. It was here that Alfred Barr, the founding director of New York's Museum of Modern Art, purchased four works from his exhibition. In 1963, Johns and Cage founded Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, now known as Foundation for Contemporary Arts in New York City. Johns was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1984. It is a credit to the growing maturity of the art community and the country that in 2011 Johns received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, becoming the first painter or sculptor to receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom since Alexander Calder in 1977.This is a fine monograph about the current thinking and art of one of our country's most celebrated artists. It is a worthy homage. Grady Harp, July 11
