judd/hesse

Specific Objects (1965), geometric abstraction. Throughout this reading I couldn't help but ask myself, "What is Donald Judd talking about?" So, this new work is neither painting nor sculpture, but is related to one or the other. I brought to mind of happenings and flashmob time and time again. Power is brought up time and again. There is power in this "new" form. Because it is cutting edge? New? Avant-gard? Striking? Getting attention? I would like to see some examples of this work. I guess I'm visual learner. That might help me understand exactly what he's getting at. It is quite vague at times. Clearly he says that Abex emphasizes the rectangle. "The simplicity required to emphasize the rectangle limits the arrangements possible within it." He says the space is shallow. I'm taking it he is a critic of Abex. He says, "The new work obviously resembles sculpture more than it does painting, but it is nearer to painting." This statement is quite contradictory. He mentions "part by part" and things being "composed." These new works seem to be closely parallelled to happenings. It is later stated that these works have no movement. What is being said by not having a movement? Are these artists purposely not forming a movement and if so, what does that say about the message they are trying to convey?
Who are these people in the next section? And in this next section Frank Stella states that Abex is complicated. This is contradictory to what Judd sees it as.

Hesse. I enjoy reading a learning about feminism. I, too, often wonder if we are unique. She makes a statement that women are sidetracked by her feminine roles. How true this is. It is such a cruel trick that nature plays on us. I am now 23 and feel my biological clock ticking. My head and my heart often argue. My heart wants one thing, and my head another. There are things I want in life and things I want to do in life. I am so scared that my female urges (ie having a baby) will cloud my goals and aspirations. That will be a shame. I can definately see as I grow older that it is more and more difficult for a woman to "carry ideas to the full developments." I don't really think that the statement, "She also lacks conviction that she has the 'right' to achievement," still holds true in today's society (thank god). However, the following statement, "She also lacks the belief that her achievements are worthy," resonates more with me.
Untitled statements. "The formal principles are understandable and understood." My art mentor in high school taught me that you must know the rules in order to break them. These statements get a little existential at times with "It is something, it is nothing" and "nothing, everything." I like that thought. She says her work is not painting, not sculpture, so is it that "new form" that Mr. Judd spoke of? This 2nd statement from 1969 seems like not so much of a statement but a question to herself. She is wondering down the corridors of her mind. There is a presence of uncertainty. It is no doubt that lack afore mentioned lack of self-esteem. These writings put me in mind of the next art project I am undertaking for my 3d studio. I am making an assemblage box about what it means to be a woman (real and stereotypically). I am going to bring in the element of time. There will be many small boxes that make up the whole. Each box will contain a different period of a woman's life. I hope it turns out how I want it to.