Photoconceptualism, 1966–1973

May 22–Sept 20, 2009

Two hands holding the word "hot" next to a paint can.
Two hands holding the word "hot" next to a paint can.

Bruce Nauman, Waxing Hot, 1966–67 (printed 1970), from the portfolio Eleven Color Photographs. Chromogenic print, 20 1/16 x 20 1/4 in. (51 x 51.4 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase 70.50.11. © Bruce Nauman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

The final installment in a three-part series taking a closer look at photography in the Whitney’s collection, this exhibition focuses on works by conceptual artists of the late 1960s and early 70s. During that time, photography became a favored medium (along with video) for art that placed more importance on concepts than on aesthetic and material concerns and rejected the necessity of the gallery or museum as a primary site of exhibition. The presentation features work by Mel Bochner, Adrian Piper, Bruce Nauman, Michael Heizer, and others.

This exhibition is organized by Elisabeth Sussman, Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography.


Related Exhibitions

Artists Making Photographs: Chamberlain, Rauschenberg, Ruscha, Samaras, Warhol
Jan 16 – May 17, 2009

Signs of the Time
Sep 19 - Nov 1, 2008



Explore works from this exhibition
in the Whitney's collection

View 24 works

On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.