This post is the equivalent of an information point you find at places like
train stations and airports. The reason I have written this blog post is because
I have noticed I am repeatedly having to explain what a 'Rule-Set' is in my
other blog posts at the moment (2023). So, to help reduce my need to do that, I
will just link to this post if and when I need to explain what a Rule-Set is in
future blog posts.
With the above in mind, I would like to point out this post is a collection of
key points, with each point expanded upon slightly. So, you might find it
yourself feeling like you are jumping around suddenly from one point to the
next. If all has gone well, though, you should be able to get a basic
understanding of what a Rule-Set is and how it fits into my Artistic Practice
relatively quickly -- so you can get back to what you were originally
reading. This post is about building your intuition, not offering a thorough
explanation.
What Is a Rule-Set?
A Rule-Set is a collection of rules/constraints I must abide by when making an
artwork. A typical example of what a Rule-Set looks like is as follows:
- An artwork must comprise of two sheets of paper.
- Each piece can only be folded a maximum of two times.
- Both pieces of paper must be different colours to each other.
- At least one piece of paper must be A4 in size.
I usually build a Rule-Set out of about three or four rules, before I begin
working on a new piece. I don't spend much time thinking about the individual
rules. I tended to just write down the first three or four things that come into
my head when I sit down at my desk. With that said, I'm normally aware of the
materials I have to hand whilst I generate the rules -- almost every time. And, I
would be remiss if I did not say these materials exerted their influence on my
decisions regarding the rule making process.
Why Do I Use Rule-Sets?
Rule-Sets are a part of a process I devised, whilst at University (2006 - 2009),
to help me create artworks. They help me create artworks by forcing me to think
creatively to overcome a limitation/problem. I must stress, though, this is not
a new idea or unique to me. It is an idea which falls under the idea of
Creative Limitation and my
favourite example of this is a book called A
Void by Georges
Perec.
'A Void' is an English translation (by Gilbert
Adair) of the French novel called
'La Disparition', written by Perec in 1969. There are other translated versions
of 'La Disparition' with different constraints but the English version's
constraint was/is it could not use the letter 'e' -- following
Oulipo constraints.
I Do Not Use Rule-Sets as Much as I Did in the Past
Whilst at University, my use of Rule-Sets became the defining factor of my
Artistic Practice. Over time, I come to realise the viewer needed priming with
prior knowledge. Without priming the viewer, my work would leave them confused
or bored because all they saw was the 'immediate visual'. The notion or
appearance of a Rule-Set was lost on the viewer. It was a tool and not the main
attraction but I expected the viewer to know about it somehow. Because of that,
I have reduced my reliance on them. If I do use them, though, I shy away from
making them front-and-centre. I tend to discover them these days -- usually
whilst working on a group of works which form a series. When I stumble across
them, I then to stick with them just to see where the work goes. With that said,
I am happy to stop using the Rule-Set if nothing interesting comes from it.
Rule-Sets Are Influenced by Lawrence Weiner’s 'Declaration of Intent'
I was partial to conceptual art at University. Because of this, Lawrence
Weiner was a big influence on
how I thought about art. The work with the biggest influence was Lawrence
Weiner's 'Declaration of
Intent'
(1968). I came across this declaration before I began concocting Rule-Sets and,
if I am honest, it took me a while to make the connection between the
two. Weiner's declaration is as follows,
- The Artist may construct the artwork.
- The work may be fabricated.
- The work need not be built.
Each being equal and consistent with the intent of the artist the decision as
to condition rests with the receiver upon the occasion of receivership.
When you compare that to my Rule-Set example above, hopefully, you can see the
similarities. With that said, Weiner's declaration was not at the forefront of
my mind when I started making Rule-Sets. So, I do not know how much of a
coincidence the similarities between my Rule-Sets and Weiner's declaration
are. Having said that, Weiner's declaration has influenced my notion of
Rule-Sets in a clear and obvious manner. And, the connection is something I do
not want to shy away from.
Aside: I've written a blog post about Lawrence
Weiner in
my Noteworthy Artists and
Artworks
series. This post expands on the 'immediate visual' and my reluctance to view or
portray Rule-Sets as the focal point for my artworks.
Rule-Sets Are, Also, Influenced by Sol LeWitt
I like Sol LeWitt's work as a matter
of course. With that said, his Wall Drawings
are probably the most obvious examples of his works influencing me and my
Rule-Sets. Each one of his wall drawings has a specific set of instructions
which one of his technicians would/will adhere to when creating said
drawings. For the sake of brevity, I will focus on one wall drawing to show how
they have informed my notion of Rule-Sets. That drawing is Wall Drawing
#164, (1973) (Fig. 1).
Aside: I've written a blog post about Sol
Lewitt
and 'Wall Drawing #164' in my Noteworthy Artists and
Artworks
series. This post includes more information on the aesthetic influences and
connections between LeWitt's and my work.
I would like to be very clear here and say how LeWitt's artwork looks is not
immediately relevant, in the context of this post. The most important part is
the instructions he left for people to carry out (on his behalf). In the case of
'Wall Drawing #164' (Fig. 1), the instructions are as follows,
A black outlined square with a red horizontal line centered on the axis
between the midpoint of the left side and the midpoint of the right side and a
red diagonal line centered on the axis between the lower left and upper right
corners.
This 'instruction set' is more directional than Weiner's declaration above but
lends itself to creating more repeatable results.
My Rule-Set Example, Weiner's Declaration and LeWitt's Instructions
I would say my Rule-Sets sits somewhere in-between Weiner's declaration LeWitts
instructions. And, to help illustrate the point above, I have placed the three
examples next to each other -- making it easier to compare and contrast them.
My Rule-Set Example:
- An artwork must comprise of two sheets of paper.
- Each piece can only be folded a maximum of two times.
- Both pieces of paper must be different colours to each other.
- At least one piece of paper must be A4 in size.
Lawrence Weiner's 'Declaration of Intent':
- The Artist may construct the artwork.
- The work may be fabricated.
- The work need not be built.
Each being equal and consistent with the intent of the artist the decision as
to condition rests with the receiver upon the occasion of receivership.
Sol LeWitt's Instructions for 'Wall Drawing #164':
A black outlined square with a red horizontal line centered on the axis
between the midpoint of the left side and the midpoint of the right side and a
red diagonal line centered on the axis between the lower left and upper right
corners.
As you can see, Weiner's declaration is more abstract and generalised than
LeWitt's instructions. Weiner's use of the words 'The work', 'may' and 'need
not' are open-ended. They do not specify anything specific like LeWitt's use of
'centered on the axis' or 'midpoint of the left side'. My Rule-Set example, on
the other hand, incorporates aspects from both Weiner and LeWitt. You can see
this with the inclusion of 'maximum', 'At least one', 'two sheets', 'paper' and
'A4'. Or, 'maximum' and 'At least one' mimics the open-ended nature of Weiner's
declaration and 'two sheets', 'paper' and 'A4' mirror the quantitative, more
concrete, nature of LeWitt's instructions.
(Figure 1) Wall Drawing #164, by Sol LeWitt
Hopefully, that's cleared-up what
'Rule-Sets' are and you can get back to what you were originally reading.