In 1964, Donald Judd wrote the essay ‘Specific Objects,’ a key text in the development of Minimalist art theory. In his essay, Judd articulated his ideas on art and objects, advocating for a shift away from traditional forms of artistic expression. He emphasized the importance of the physical presence and materiality of art objects, rejecting representational and symbolic content. He introduced the term “specific objects” to describe artworks that exist as self-contained entities, challenging the conventional boundaries between painting and sculpture. He argued for an art that was devoid of narrative or illusionistic elements, aiming for a direct and immediate experience for the viewer.
In the essay, Judd underscored the concept of embodied subjectivity, aspiring to be comprehensive but falling short in allowing space for gender, racial and/or sexual differences in art. Recognizing this limitation as a point of departure, the curators of ‘Non-Specific Objects’ at Capitain Petzel selected artists whose work actively counters the supremacy of universal concepts, promoted by Judd. Through abstraction and references to bodies, both literal and metaphorical, these artists carve out space within their works to embrace and highlight the nuances of difference.
To read more, click here or download it below.
