Cubes and Concepts: Notes on Possible Relations Between Minimal Art and Architecture

Abstract

Abstract The article discusses the links and interchanges between art and architecture in the late sixties and early seventies with emphasis on the exchanges between conceptual or minimal art and architecture. The basic assumption of the article is that the rigorous conceptualisation that characterised minimal artist was transferred into some advanced architectural practices during the late sixties and early seventies. The text examines relations and differences between artists (mainly Sol Lewitt) and architects (mainly Peter Eisenman) and argues that this discussion is still relevant to current practices exploring the potentials of digital based design through the use of parametrics, scripting etc. The text concludes with an example of design-based research conducted by the author, which reflects on the themes raised in the article.