Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Jackson Mac Low. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
The main text is a quote that says, "FIND A WAY TO END UNEMPLOYMENT OR FIND A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE WITHOUT EMPLOYMENT MAKE WHICHEVER ONE YOU FIND WORK".
This image shows a piece of cardstock with typed text and stamps. The top-left corner reads "SOCIAL PROJECT 1" and the top-right corner says "29 APRIL 1963". The main text is a quote that says, "FIND A WAY TO END UNEMPLOYMENT OR FIND A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE WITHOUT EMPLOYMENT MAKE WHICHEVER ONE YOU FIND WORK". The bottom-right corner has the name "JACKSON MAC LOW".
The text is typed in a simple font, and there are some faint stamps and marks on the cardstock. The overall effect is one of simplicity and directness.
If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this piece, you might want to look up Jackson Mac Low.
Overview
Untitled (1963) is a mixed-media drawing by Jackson Mac Low, combining typewriting, stamps, and postal cancellations on cardstock. This work exemplifies Mac Low's experimental approach, blending systematic chance operations with everyday materials.
Subject & Meaning
The piece features a typed quote advocating for solutions to unemployment, either by ending it or redefining livelihoods without employment. The inclusion of postal elements and the title 'SOCIAL PROJECT 1' suggests a commentary on societal issues and potentially the dissemination of ideas through public channels.
Technique & Style
Mac Low employed a straightforward typewriter font and incorporated found elements like stamps and cancellations, reflecting his interest in chance operations and the integration of ephemeral, everyday materials into art.
History & Provenance
Created on April 29, 1963, this work aligns with Mac Low's period of exploring systematic chance operations, influenced by composers John Cage and Earle Brown, and predates his fuller involvement with the Fluxus movement.
Context
Untitled reflects the early 1960s' artistic experimentation with text, materiality, and conceptual themes. Mac Low's background in poetry and performance also informs the piece's direct, message-oriented approach.
Legacy
As an early example of Mac Low's interdisciplinary practice, Untitled contributes to the broader legacy of Fluxus and conceptual art's emphasis on idea over form, though its specific impact is more nuanced and tied to Mac Low's evolving practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jackson Mac Low (September 12, 1922 – December 8, 2004) was an American poet, performance artist, composer and playwright, known to most readers of poetry as a practitioner of systematic chance operations and other…
