Lawrence Weiner

Directly from the artist

Colours: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate although the overall tonality is warmer in the original and the paper tone is more uniform. There is also greater depth to the graphic elements in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition and is securely hinged to the backing board in several places along the top edge and in the bottom left corner. There are tiny artist's pin holes in the top two corners and square folding creases to the sheet throughout, inherent to the artist's working process. There are further shallow creases intermittently throughout the sheet most notably around the collage elements and in the lower left corner. There is a minute speck of media accretion towards the top right corner tip.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1995 the Gesellschaft für Moderne Kunst nominated Lawrence Weiner as winner of the Wolfgang-Hahn-Award. To commemorate this, an in-situ conceptual work was created by the artist, first a plan, then on four steel plates with engraved texts, now to be seen in-ground around the Museum Ludwig in Cologne as well as in other places of the city.

Rudi Fuchs, then director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and guest juror for the Wolfgang Hahn Award, described Weiner´s work in his laudatio: "Lawrence Weiner has disengaged his art from the gravity of aesthetics. It is no static form but a scarce and free expression, visible in any requested manner. This art roams like a Guerillero through the country and is moving clandestinely, its appearance is a surprise again and again."