Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
June 1–August 18, 2012
London

Sprüth Magers London is delighted to present a solo exhibition of work by Jenny Holzer. The American artist finds ways to make narrative a part of visual objects, employing an innovative range of materials and presentations to confront emotions and experiences, politics and conflict. Entitled Sophisticated Devices, this exhibition provides a survey of Holzer’s practice, encompassing her spray paint canvases, granite benches, LED works, painted signs, and cast plaques.

 

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The large spray paint canvases on view at the gallery are the result of collaborations with New York graffiti artists Lady Pink and A-One, whose haunting images are supplemented with Holzer’s provocative statements. In I am not free because I can be exploded anytime (1983–84), Holzer’s characteristically cryptic phrase is hand-lettered over a scene, spray-painted by Pink, of bodies in despair. The collaborative works feature text from Survival, a series of cautionary texts, in which each sentence instructs, informs or questions the ways an individual responds to his or her social, physical, psychological and personal environments. Just as street art seeks to have an immediate impact on an unsuspecting public, the Survival phrases have an urgent tone, the sentences short and pointed so as to be instantly accessible to passersby.

The artist’s granite benches will be on display in the front gallery, inscribed with words from the Living series (1980–82), in which Holzer presents a set of quiet observations, directions, and warnings. The commentaries touch on how the individual negotiates landscapes, persons, rules, expectations, desires, fears, other bodies, one's flesh, and one's self. Holzer began working with stone in 1986. Her idea was to find a home for her texts that was resistant to the vagaries of time and destruction, as lasting as the light of her electronic signs is transitory. The bench form was selected because it offered people a place to sit and converse with others. The utility of the object allows her to insinuate texts that are not immediately consistent with the domestic or park-like settings where they might be placed.

Similarly delivering messages from the Living and Survival series will be a selection of vintage LED artworks, enamel on metal hand-painted signs, and cast plaques. Recognized as Holzer’s signature medium, electronic signs have been part of the artist’s practice since the early eighties, initially adopted for its association with news and advertising, and as a mode of direct address. The LED work Under a Rock (1986) features text from the series of the same name, here showcasing the words ‘Tick Tick’. Composed specifically for electronic signs and stone benches, this series explores the unmentionable as well as pain’s manifestations and persistence. The plaques and painted signs, installed in the rear gallery, recall those that often appear on historic buildings, lending the writing authority and a voice of the establishment.

 

Installation Views
Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Details
Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Sophisticated Devices
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, London, June 1–August 18, 2012

Details
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Exhibited Works
Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
People Look Like They Are Dancing …, 2005

Jenny Holzer
People Look Like They Are Dancing …, 2005
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Text on cast aluminium plaque
15.2 × 25.4 cm
3 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer / Lady Pink
I am not free because I can be exploded anytime, 1983–84

Jenny Holzer / Lady Pink
I am not free because I can be exploded anytime, 1983–84
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Spray paint on canvas
264 × 288 × 2 cm
104 × 113 3/8 × 7/8 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Living, 1989

Jenny Holzer
Living, 1989
Text: Living (1983–85)
Electronic LED sign: red diodes, black powder-coated aluminium housing
13.3 × 276.9 × 7.6 cm
5 1/4 × 109 × 3 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Living Series: You should limit the number of times …, 1989

Jenny Holzer
Living Series: You should limit the number of times …, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2 × 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17 × 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
It takes a while before you can..., 1989

Jenny Holzer
It takes a while before you can…, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2x 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17x 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Survival Series: More Survival: Red Diodes, 1985

Jenny Holzer
Survival Series: More Survival: Red Diodes, 1985
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Electronic LED sign: red diodes, black powder-coated aluminum housing
13.3 × 97.5 × 7.6 cm
5 1/4 × 38 3/8 × 3 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Living Series: Even with your eyes closed, 1989

Jenny Holzer
Living Series: Even with your eyes closed, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2 × 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17 × 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer / Lady Pink
I am not free because I can be exploded anytime, 1983–84

Jenny Holzer / Lady Pink
I am not free because I can be exploded anytime, 1983–84
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Spray paint on canvas
231.1 × 292.1 cm
91 × 115 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Living Series: Little Queenie..., 1989

Jenny Holzer
Living Series: Little Queenie…, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2 × 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17 × 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
When you’ve been someplace …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
When you’ve been someplace …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Text on cast bronze plaque
20.3 × 25.4 cm
8 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Damage is done by the tacit understanding..., 1981

Jenny Holzer
Damage is done by the tacit understanding…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Text on cast bronze plaque
15.2 × 24.1 cm
6 × 9 1/2 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Bodies lie in the bright grass and some are murdered and some are picnicking, 1984

Jenny Holzer
Bodies lie in the bright grass and some are murdered and some are picnicking, 1984
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Text on cast aluminium plaque
15.2 × 25.4 cm
6 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
It can be helpful to think of them …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
It can be helpful to think of them …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
The mouth is interesting because …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
The mouth is interesting because …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
The rich knifing victim can flip..., 1981

Jenny Holzer
The rich knifing victim can flip…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
If your clothes catch on fire…, 1981

Jenny Holzer
If your clothes catch on fire…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
People like to breed animals..., 1981

Jenny Holzer
People like to breed animals…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
When you’re on the verge of determining …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
When you’re on the verge of determining …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
If you’re smart, you watch for changes …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
If you’re smart, you watch for changes …, 1981
Text: Living (1980-1982)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Affluent college bound students …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
Affluent college bound students …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
I saw them strip a man …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
I saw them strip a man …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Little Queenie …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
Little Queenie …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
More people will be building hiding places …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
More people will be building hiding places …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Pets can be chosen by their ability …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
Pets can be chosen by their ability …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Just one rotten spot in your head..., 1981

Jenny Holzer
Just one rotten spot in your head…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
When you’ve been someplace …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
When you’ve been someplace …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Even with your eyes closed..., 1981

Jenny Holzer
Even with your eyes closed…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Hand-painted enamel on metal sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
What a shock when they tell you it won’t hurt …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
What a shock when they tell you it won’t hurt …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Tunneling is good for transportation …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
Tunneling is good for transportation …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
By your response to danger …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
By your response to danger …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Hands-on socialization promotes..., 1981

Jenny Holzer
Hands-on socialization promotes…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Hand-painted enamel on metal sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
With bleeding inside the head …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
With bleeding inside the head …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
When someone is breathing on you …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
When someone is breathing on you …, 1980-82
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
It can be startling to see someone’s breath …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
It can be startling to see someone’s breath …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
After dark it’s a relief to see a girl …, 1981

Jenny Holzer
After dark it’s a relief to see a girl …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer / A-One
Flashlight, 1983–84

Jenny Holzer / A-One
Flashlight, 1983–84
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Spray paint on canvas
224 × 114.5 cm
91 × 48 3/8 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
When there is no safe place to sleep..., 1984

Jenny Holzer
When there is no safe place to sleep…, 1984
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Text on cast aluminium plaque
20.3 × 25.4 cm
8 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London
Jenny Holzer
Under a Rock, 1986

Jenny Holzer
Under a Rock, 1986
Text: Selections from Under a Rock (1986)
Electronic LED sign with red and green diodes
25.4 × 285.8 × 11.4 cm
9 1/2 × 112 1/2 × 5 1/2 inches

Details
Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
People Look Like They Are Dancing …, 2005
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Text on cast aluminium plaque
15.2 × 25.4 cm
3 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer / Lady Pink
I am not free because I can be exploded anytime, 1983–84
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Spray paint on canvas
264 × 288 × 2 cm
104 × 113 3/8 × 7/8 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Living, 1989
Text: Living (1983–85)
Electronic LED sign: red diodes, black powder-coated aluminium housing
13.3 × 276.9 × 7.6 cm
5 1/4 × 109 × 3 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Living Series: You should limit the number of times …, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2 × 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17 × 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
It takes a while before you can…, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2x 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17x 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Survival Series: More Survival: Red Diodes, 1985
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Electronic LED sign: red diodes, black powder-coated aluminum housing
13.3 × 97.5 × 7.6 cm
5 1/4 × 38 3/8 × 3 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Living Series: Even with your eyes closed, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2 × 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17 × 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer / Lady Pink
I am not free because I can be exploded anytime, 1983–84
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Spray paint on canvas
231.1 × 292.1 cm
91 × 115 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Living Series: Little Queenie…, 1989
Text: Living (1980–82)
Bethel white granite bench
43.2 × 91.4 × 45.7 cm
17 × 36 × 18 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
When you’ve been someplace …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Text on cast bronze plaque
20.3 × 25.4 cm
8 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Damage is done by the tacit understanding…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Text on cast bronze plaque
15.2 × 24.1 cm
6 × 9 1/2 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Bodies lie in the bright grass and some are murdered and some are picnicking, 1984
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Text on cast aluminium plaque
15.2 × 25.4 cm
6 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
It can be helpful to think of them …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
The mouth is interesting because …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
The rich knifing victim can flip…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
If your clothes catch on fire…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
People like to breed animals…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
When you’re on the verge of determining …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
If you’re smart, you watch for changes …, 1981
Text: Living (1980-1982)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Affluent college bound students …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
I saw them strip a man …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Little Queenie …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
More people will be building hiding places …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Pets can be chosen by their ability …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Just one rotten spot in your head…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
When you’ve been someplace …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Even with your eyes closed…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Hand-painted enamel on metal sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
What a shock when they tell you it won’t hurt …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Tunneling is good for transportation …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
By your response to danger …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: red on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Hands-on socialization promotes…, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Hand-painted enamel on metal sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
With bleeding inside the head …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
When someone is breathing on you …, 1980-82
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
It can be startling to see someone’s breath …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
After dark it’s a relief to see a girl …, 1981
Text: Living (1980–82)
Enamel on metal, hand-painted sign: black on white
53.3 × 58.4 cm
21 × 23 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer / A-One
Flashlight, 1983–84
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Spray paint on canvas
224 × 114.5 cm
91 × 48 3/8 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
When there is no safe place to sleep…, 1984
Text: Survival (1983–85)
Text on cast aluminium plaque
20.3 × 25.4 cm
8 × 10 inches

Jenny Holzer – Sophisticated Devices – London

Jenny Holzer
Under a Rock, 1986
Text: Selections from Under a Rock (1986)
Electronic LED sign with red and green diodes
25.4 × 285.8 × 11.4 cm
9 1/2 × 112 1/2 × 5 1/2 inches

Details
icon_fullscreen
1 of 38

 

Selected Press

Jenny Holzer | Sophisticated Devices
Studio International, review by Anna McNay, June 26, 2012

Jenny Holzer: Drawn to the dark side
The Guardian, review by Stuart Jeffries, 5 June 2012

Jenny Holzer @ Sprueth Magers
Whitehot Magazine, article by Chris Osburn, August 2012