What do you think?
Rate this book
Converging Lines: Eva Hesse and Sol LeWitt
A fascinating glimpse into the friendship of two acclaimed artists, which reveals the great extent to which they influenced each other’s work and lives
Eva Hesse and Sol LeWitt formed a close friendship between the late 1950s and Hesse’s death in 1970. Converging Lines celebrates this friendship and offers an illuminating look at their close-knit New York circle. Whereas previous scholarship has examined LeWitt’s impact on Hesse, this is the first publication to demonstrate that the artists influenced each other’s art and lives in reciprocal and profound ways.
Richly documented, this book includes a personal recollection by Lucy R. Lippard, a distinguished American art writer and critic who was a close friend of both artists. Also included are reproductions of 39 postcards LeWitt wrote to Hesse during his international travels, along with a poignant five-page letter that he sent Hesse, attesting to his belief in her talent; a previously unpublished interview from 2001 with LeWitt about his relationship with Hesse; and an illustrated chronology drawing upon interviews, photographs, and primary documents from the time. Shedding new light on the careers and personal lives of Hesse and LeWitt, this publication explores the deep connections between two of the 20th century’s most important artists.
Published in association with the Blanton Museum of Art
Exhibition Blanton Museum of Art
(02/23/2014–05/18/2014) Addison Gallery of American Art
(09/12/2015–01/10/2016) Cleveland Museum of Art
(04/03/2016–07/31/2016)
Eva Hesse and Sol LeWitt formed a close friendship between the late 1950s and Hesse’s death in 1970. Converging Lines celebrates this friendship and offers an illuminating look at their close-knit New York circle. Whereas previous scholarship has examined LeWitt’s impact on Hesse, this is the first publication to demonstrate that the artists influenced each other’s art and lives in reciprocal and profound ways.
Richly documented, this book includes a personal recollection by Lucy R. Lippard, a distinguished American art writer and critic who was a close friend of both artists. Also included are reproductions of 39 postcards LeWitt wrote to Hesse during his international travels, along with a poignant five-page letter that he sent Hesse, attesting to his belief in her talent; a previously unpublished interview from 2001 with LeWitt about his relationship with Hesse; and an illustrated chronology drawing upon interviews, photographs, and primary documents from the time. Shedding new light on the careers and personal lives of Hesse and LeWitt, this publication explores the deep connections between two of the 20th century’s most important artists.
Published in association with the Blanton Museum of Art
Exhibition Blanton Museum of Art
(02/23/2014–05/18/2014) Addison Gallery of American Art
(09/12/2015–01/10/2016) Cleveland Museum of Art
(04/03/2016–07/31/2016)
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2014
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 12, 2015
Eva Hesse is amazing and this is a great introduction to how she fits into art history and her friendship with Sol LeWitt
February 2, 2017
This is an example of how the catalogue to the exhibition can provide background information to viewing the artwork. While I wish I was able to see the art in real life, the essays, chronology and images are what remain not only as a documentation to an amazing friendship, but to a seminal place and time in American art.
Beyond the friendship between Hesse and LeWitt are their cohorts who lived and worked together. Adrian Piper's mention of all the doors LeWitt opened for her is indicative of the generosity and camaraderie of these people at the time.
The ephemera shown in this catalogue, including all five pages of LeWitt's famous 1965 letter to Hesse, and the many postcards he sent to her as well as postcards Hesse received from others, is all wonderful to see.
Beyond the friendship between Hesse and LeWitt are their cohorts who lived and worked together. Adrian Piper's mention of all the doors LeWitt opened for her is indicative of the generosity and camaraderie of these people at the time.
The ephemera shown in this catalogue, including all five pages of LeWitt's famous 1965 letter to Hesse, and the many postcards he sent to her as well as postcards Hesse received from others, is all wonderful to see.
July 4, 2016
Clearly written, interesting insights & connections, excellent photographs of artwork.
Notes:
"Amusements is" ... Nov. 21, 1964 exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Crafts (today the Museum of Art and Design) ... dedicated primarily to toys, cards, and games made by contemporary artists and designers, this vast exhibition, organized by museum director Paul J. Smith, sought "to focus attention on the experience of fun and play." p. 40
Notes:
"Amusements is" ... Nov. 21, 1964 exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Crafts (today the Museum of Art and Design) ... dedicated primarily to toys, cards, and games made by contemporary artists and designers, this vast exhibition, organized by museum director Paul J. Smith, sought "to focus attention on the experience of fun and play." p. 40
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews