Born: June 17, 1931, National City, California, USA
Died: January 2, 2020, Los Angeles, California, USA
Nationality: American
Style: Conceptual Art
Influences: Marcel Duchamp, Pop Art, language
"I can't think of anything more boring for the public than to see an artist on a pedestal."
Notable Artwork
I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art (1971)
About John Baldessari
Born: June 17, 1931, National City, California, USA Died: January 2, 2020, Los Angeles, California, USA Nationality: American Style: Conceptual Art Influences: Marcel Duchamp, Pop Art, language Major Exhibitions: “I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art” (1971), “Composing on the Tongue” (1984), “The Cremation Project” (1970) Quote: “I can’t think of anything more boring for the public than to see an artist on a pedestal.”
Notable Artwork: I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art (1971)
For this work, Baldessari wrote the phrase “I will not make any more boring art” repeatedly on the walls of a gallery. He also invited students to write the phrase as a form of punishment.
Significance
This piece is both humorous and a serious critique of traditional art practices. It exemplifies Baldessari’s use of irony and his interest in language, conceptual games, and challenging the conventions of art making. It’s a performative piece that uses language as its primary medium.