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What is the point of Jenny Holzer's art?
1 Answer
While the takeaway of Jenny Holzer’s art is subjective to each individual, her work focuses mainly on the delivery of words and ideas in public spaces with large-scale installations. Shop a selection of Jenny Holzer artwork and prints on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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Shop for Jenny Holzer Art on 1stDibs
Jenny Holzer, Inflammatory Essays 3 - LED Sculpture, Light Art, Text-based Art
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950)
Inflammatory Essays 3, 1982/2002
Medium: Electronic tri-color mini-LED panel, with anodized aluminium housing, incl. power adapter
Dimensions: 10.1 x...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
Materials
LED Light
Jenny Holzer, AKA: Portfolio of 5 Etchings, Contemporary Art, Signed Print
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950)
AKA, 2006
Medium: Set of five etchings, on Magnani Pescia paper (with title page, sheets loose, in original black silk-covered portfolio case)
Dimens...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Jenny Holzer, Inflammatory Essays: Shriek When the Pain Hits...
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950)
Inflammatory Essays: Shriek When the Pain Hits During Interrogation, 1996
Multiple: Pewter multiple with engraved text
Dimensions: 6.6 × 5 × 1.1 cm (...
Category
20th Century Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Jenny Holzer, Water Board 0000090: 2012, Signed Print, Contemporary Art
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950)
Water Board 0000090, 2012
Medium: Template reservage technique, on 350 g/qm wove paper
Dimensions: 90.5 × 70 cm (35 3/5 × 27 3/5 in)
Edition: From th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Prints
Materials
Paper
USE WHAT IS DOMINANT IN A CULTURE TO CHANGE IT: Signed glass bowl Whitney Museum
By Jenny Holzer
Located in New York, NY
Jenny Holzer
USE WHAT IS DOMINANT IN A CULTURE TO CHANGE IT, 2003
Hand Blown Glass Bowl
4 × 10 × 10 inches
Edition 68/200
Signed and numbered 68/200 on the underside with Holzer's in...
Category
Early 2000s Conceptual Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass, Engraving
Half Dead, "Inflammatory Essay" (from Documenta 1982)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer is one of the most important and original artists of the 20th century.
Her body of work, with its emphasis on text, is provocative and occasionally frightening, manipulating the language of folk wisdom, pop culture, and government slogan to produce a commentary on global issues including power structures, gender struggle, economics, voting, and warfare.
Holzer's iconic "Inflammatory Essays", produced between 1979 and 1982, were first pasted on walls throughout heavily populated metro areas including New York, and shortly after in other cities. Unsigned and commercially produced, they subverted the conventions of advertising, graffiti, and public art. Each essay was in a different eye-catching color to maximize viewers' attention. It was also helpful when one Essay replaced an older one.
The texts were derived from her childhood interest in rapturous writings. Holzer tried to emulate a similar style for her essays, yet borrowed from political theorists (notably Mao, Lenin, and Emma Goldman...
Category
1980s Conceptual Prints and Multiples
Materials
Lithograph, Offset
