Oct. 31, 1978 (Today Series, "Tuesday")

On Kawara

Created:
Movement:
1978
Conceptual Art
key Notes:
Date painting, Conceptual art
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Dimensions:
155 × 226 cm (61 × 89 in.)
medium:
Acrylic on canvas, with two newspapers
Difficulty:
Expert
New game
story of the work:

We have not been able to find much information about this work, or we believe the information we sourced needed more review.

On Kawara: "Oct. 31, 1978 (Today Series, 'Tuesday')

On Kawara's "Oct. 31, 1978 (Today Series, 'Tuesday')" is a significant work within his renowned "Today Series," which he began in 1966. This series is characterized by its methodical approach, where each painting features the date of its creation in white text on a monochromatic background, accompanied by a newspaper from the same day. The use of acrylic on canvas in this piece underscores Kawara's commitment to documenting the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of daily life. Kawara, a Japanese conceptual artist, is celebrated for his exploration of time, existence, and consciousness through minimalist aesthetics. His work challenges viewers to consider the intersection of personal and collective history. The inclusion of newspapers serves as a tangible connection to the socio-political context of the date, enhancing the historical resonance of the artwork.

Description of the work:

Oct. 31, 1978 (Today Series, "Tuesday") by On Kawara

This artwork is part of On Kawara's "Today Series," characterized by its minimalist style, featuring the date "Oct. 31, 1978" painted in white acrylic on a monochromatic canvas. Accompanying the painting are two newspapers from the same date, providing contextual insight into the day's events and anchoring the work in a specific temporal moment.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Art Institute of Chicago

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Oct. 31, 1978 (Today Series, "Tuesday")