Question

In Donald Judd's view, what are the problems with traditional painting and sculpture? In what ways does he see the new 'specific objects' as moving beyond such traditional forms?

Answer 1

Donald Judd addressed the problems of traditional art, which he found to be subjective and illusionistic, with his minimalist 'specific objects' that emphasized geometric simplicity and permanence.

Step-by-step explanation:

Donald Judd critiqued traditional painting and sculpture for their reliance on illusionism and the artist's subjective decisions, problems he believed were remedied by his exploration of minimalist concepts. He viewed his 'specific objects' as a move beyond these forms, creating works that were unabashedly geometric and simplistic, representing only themselves without the imposition of personal feelings.

In exhibitions like the one at the Jewish Museum in New York, Judd presented his geometric forms—such as stacks, boxes, and progressions—produced from materials like metal, plywood, concrete, and Plexiglas. These structures, often large-scale installations, emphasized permanence over the transitory nature of traditional gallery exhibitions, thus conveying importance and solidity.