Conceptual Art: A Critical Anthology - uncopy

introduction to konzeption/conception
rolf wedewer
Conceptual art is not only a name for one of the youngest and probably one of the most radical
movements in art, but, in addition, this term also draws attention to a general change in art as
well as to a change in its conceptualization. Its designation marks an opening of new perspectives
which may lead to a form of art which cannot be judged and understood on the basis of
its concrete and manifest creations, but—similar to other communication media—based on
its procedural potentials. In other words, the changes that can be vaguely perceived through
the name not only concern forms and topics of art, but are of structural, that is fundamental,
nature.
It all started with the so-called Earth- or Land-art, with Earth-sculptures that were created
in the form of long trenches or walls built in an open terrain. Since they cannot be moved,
they were substituted very early by planning designs—descriptions or sketches—that replaced
the actual work of art by its sketch. Out of this emerged Conceptual art that, for the first time,
represents an art that only consists of planning sketches whose execution and transformation
into the final work of art is considered of secondary importance and, therefore, can be dismissed.
Moreover, the sketches and designs of Conceptual art no longer refer to concrete ob-