Book Report

Jenny Holzer

Conceptual artist Jenny Holzer began her studies at Duke University in Durham, NC but finished her BFA at Ohio University. Though she didn't start working with language, installation and public art until 1976 when she participated in the Whitney Museum's independent study program. 

As she began on her own Holzer worked with “underground” medium of paper posters with bland text pasted to walls. These posters elicited written responses on the posters from passers-by. Along with the underground installations she worked with metal and marble with similar messages carved into them.

Holzer’s main work following that and into today has been done with lights and projections. Most commonly she has done installations with LED signs spouting messages of her making or writings of others.

In one of her most recent installations Holzer has used the poetry of others to celebrate being in New York City. This installation is in the New 7 World Trade building’s lobby. In an interview with art21 she says about the installation “After much stewing, I came up with the idea of doing text in the wall—not memorial text but text about the joy of being in New York City.” Here is a video of the permanent  Blurb including gifs about the 7 World Trade Installation Video of the installation. 

References

http://art21.tumblr.com/post/60949300420/for-the-lobby-at-7-world-trade-center-i-came-up
http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/contemporary/Jenny-Holzer.html
http://vimeo.com/1403702
http://www.art21.org/artists/jenny-holzer?utm_source=tumblr.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Art21_Tumblr
http://www.art21.org/texts/jenny-holzer/interview-jenny-holzer-for-7-world-trade-and-redaction-paintings
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Holzer
http://www.betweenbridges.net/j_holzer/start.jpg