Capitol Federal Hall home to conceptual art installation
Capitol Federal Hall will house one of the KU Spencer Museum of Art’s prized Sol LeWitt works, Wall Drawing 519.
LeWitt was an American artist known as a prominent figure of both minimalist and conceptual art. He rose to fame in the late 1960s with his wall drawings and sculptures. LeWitt used a wide range of media including drawing, printmaking, photography and painting.
From the Spencer Museum’s website about Wall Drawing 519:
The installation is a lively example of Sol LeWitt’s many large-scale wall drawings that use simple lines and geometric designs. LeWitt, a leading figure in minimalist and conceptual art, emphasized the idea over the material presence in his artwork. Each wall drawing begins with a set of instructions or a diagram that is then executed by an installation team directly on the wall. LeWitt’s wall drawings have an unlimited lifespan and can be recreated in different locations.
“The presence of the LeWitt wall drawing at the innovative new School of Business exemplifies our dedication to extending the museum’s collections and programs beyond our walls,” said Saralyn Reece Hardy, Spencer Museum director. “The conceptual nature of LeWitt’s wall drawing, which shifts and transforms according to its location, makes it an ideal work to share with our KU partners.”
A team led by a representative of the LeWitt Estate installed the work over two weeks on the first floor of Capitol Federal Hall.
Wall Drawing 519 consists of a red square on a yellow background, a blue circle on a red background, and a yellow triangle on a blue background. A team led by a representative of the LeWitt Estate installed the work over two weeks on the first floor of Capitol Federal Hall.
The wall drawing is one of 65 pieces of art in the business school’s new building. An art committee, which included Reece Hardy and was chaired by dean’s advisory board member Mike Michaelis, guided the art selection process. Each artwork has a tie to either the state of Kansas or KU.
