5 Discussions in the Years 1976 to 1994, at Greenwich Street, New York City, 1976–1994 by Will Roberts

5 Discussions in the Years 1976 to 1994, at Greenwich Street, New York City, 1976–1994

Will Roberts · 1976

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“This artwork consists of five signed certificates documenting a series of discussions between artists Robert Ryman and Ian Wilson. It transforms the intangible act of conversation into a tangible, collectible art object.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

What you see here is not a traditional painting or sculpture, but rather a conceptual artwork composed of five certificates and a title sheet, each signed by artists Robert Ryman and Ian Wilson. This piece, titled "5 Discussions in the Years 1976 to 1994, at Greenwich Street, New York City, 1976–1994," documents a series of conversations. The artwork challenges the conventional idea of what art can be, moving beyond physical objects to focus on experience and interaction. Each certificate serves as a testament to these discussions, transforming intangible dialogue into a tangible record. This work invites us to consider the value of conversation itself as an artistic medium and how ephemeral moments can be preserved and presented within a museum context.

DETAILS
Artist
Will Roberts
Date
1976
Medium
Five certificates signed by Robert Ryman and Ian Wilson and signed title sheet
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
Each sheet: 28 × 21.6 cm (11 1/16 × 8 9/16 in.); 28 × 21.6 cm (11 × 8 1/2 in.)
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

5 Discussions in the Years 1976 to 1994, at Greenwich Street, New York City, 1976–1994
01

Observe the signatures of Robert Ryman and Ian Wilson on each certificate.

02

Notice the precise dates noted on the title sheet, spanning nearly two decades.

03

Consider the simplicity of the presentation: just paper and ink.

04

Look at the identical dimensions of each sheet, creating a unified series.

THE ARTIST

Will Roberts

1907–2000 · United Kingdom

Will Roberts, a Welsh expressionist painter, captured the soul of industrial workers, farmers, and the dramatic Welsh landscape, earning recognition as one of Wales's modern masters.

Read Roberts’s full story
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