lawrence weiner six ten penny common steel nails

In 1968, Lawrence Weiner crafted a work of art labelled “Six Ten Penny Common Steel Nails in 1000,” constructed from six 10-penny nails and 1000 common steel nails. This composition was transformed using a hammer, driving the nails into a board, followed by mounting on a wall. The artwork was carefully created as part of Weiner’s essential “Statement of Intent.”

According to the “Statement of Intent” crafted by Weiner, the primary focus of an artwork should be the underlying concept, rather than its composition or materials. This set of guidelines served to crystallize his artistic philosophy, which prioritized the intentions of its creator over the end-product.

Weiner sought to make a statement with his artistic work, insisting that the notion behind the piece was more important than the materials used to execute it; this belief is showcased in the creation of “Six Ten Penny Common Steel Nails in 1000”. His disregard for the significance of materials within art is what drove the development of this masterpiece.

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