I recently came across a letter from Sol LeWitt to Eva Hesse discussing the creative process and pursuing new ideas. Every artist has doubts and fear about trying new ideas and this letter was written when Eva Hesse was just about to have her eureka moment with her three dimensional pieces. I've included a clip of it below. Advice worth remembering ...
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| Eva Hesse, No Title, 1970. |
April 14th 1965, letter from Sol LeWitt to Eva Hesse:
Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, gasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, rumbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose-sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding grinding grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just DO.
Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, gasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, rumbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose-sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding grinding grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just DO.
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| Sol LeWitt, Wall Drawing #1268: Scribbles: Staircase (AKAG). |
Very helpful advice!
ReplyDeletei LOVE eva hesse AND sol LeWitt . . . i saw some of his work at the mass moca last month.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
Aeurgh!!! I'm printing it in big and posting it on my wall, next to my "JUST KEEP WORKING" sign... lovely lovely lovely!
ReplyDeleteand now I want to check out the Albright Knox - I wonder if the work will be similar to the one at Mass Moca?
Thanks for sharing!
Two of my favorite artists too! Sophie, you're so lucky to live near such great galleries.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. What a good reminder to tell inner critic selves to be quiet so we can focus on just making.
ReplyDeleteps. You mentioned on my blog you're from TN also? I grew up there as a child as well. Curious if our paths have ever crossed? :)
Hi Heather, thanks for visiting, love your blog! I was born in Knoxville but spent most of my years in north Fl and Huntsville, AL before heading out to SF years ago. Love how all the Southern states have different accents.
ReplyDelete