Looking for Empty Land
Donald Judd and Iceland
Gavin Morrison(Author)
Lars Müller Publishers
1st Edition
Published in June 2026
Book
Hardback
160 pages
978-3-03778-809-7 (ISBN)
Description
Donald Judd (1928-1994) was an American artist known for reductive forms and a strident rejection of imposed meanings. Though largely absent from art historical accounts of his life, Judd had a varied and complex relationship with Iceland, which started with his childhood fascination with the Icelandic sagas. After his first trip to the island in 1981, he returned to create an exhibition in Reykjavik and, through his visits, became familiar with a number of Icelandic artists. Judd developed a strong interest in Iceland's vernacular architecture and his connection to the country touched on many areas of his creative thought: writing, architecture, landscape, art and politics. Accounts of Judd's relationship to Iceland have persisted predominantly as an oral history among those who knew him on the island.
"Looking for Empty Land" presents, for the first time, comprehensive research into Judd's involvement with Iceland - developed through interviews with friends, former assistants, family and personal acquaintances as well as original archive research in Iceland and Marfa, Texas. The publication explores Judd's appreciation of the interconnections seen in Iceland between literature, landscape and architecture, providing a lens through which to reappraise his activities in Marfa, which similarly brought together concerns of building and place.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Zürich
Czech Republic
Illustrations
35
Dimensions
Height: 30.5 cm
Width: 23 cm
ISBN-13
978-3-03778-809-7 (9783037788097)
Schweitzer Classification