The exhibition Conceptual Artwork in Britain, 1964-79 (until 29 August), concise, intelligently put in, with something of the clarity and balance of a nicely-designed ebook, is an important event. Whether or not one comes out of that investigation embracing a broader – albeit maybe vaguer – set of ideas and tools than one began off with, or whether one considers oneself forced to desert any hope of anything however very particular theories of artwork, artist, and artistic experience, conceptual art obliges us to consider where we stand on these points.

Many of the considerations of conceptualists have been taken by contemporary artists of set up artwork, efficiency artwork and digital art. Perhaps probably the most urgent query, nevertheless, has to do with the extent to which we’re to take conceptual artwork’s declare of de-materialisation severely.

Nonetheless, in the midst of this deliberately produced uncertainty concerning the nature of conceptual artwork, a handful of characteristics and general aims do appear to recur, and although they shouldn’t be seen as standards for conceptual artwork strictly talking, they might be considered tenets elementary to (most) conceptual art.

Conceptual artists set up their thought or concept as the focal point, moderately than the thing they’re depicting. Film and video: Film and video is usually utilized by conceptual artists to record their actions or performances. Like Duchamp earlier than them, they deserted beauty, rarity, and skill as measures of art.

Based on his beliefs, trendy artwork ought to follow a progressive discount and refinement The duty of portray, for example, was to outline what kind of object a portray truly is: Painting depicts flat objects on canvas surfaces the place coloured pigment is utilized.