Jenny Holzer: Line Light | Guggenheim Museum
Installation view, Jenny Holzer: Light Line, May 17–September 29, 2024, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. © 2024 Jenny Holzer, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York
Written by Max Wiener
Jenny Holzer’s iconic 1989 Guggenheim exhibition returns to its home in stunning and poignant fashion.
Upon its original release at the Guggenheim in 1989, Jenny Holzer’s Light Line was a groundbreaking spectacle of artistic importance. Revelations of the written word spiraled across the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright structure like beautifully strung pearls, all of their verbiage resonating deep within our minds. Our heads cocked up at the sky as we read glaringly important truths, like how “Most People Aren’t Fit To Rule Themselves” and how “Much Was Decided Before You Were Born.” These words just don’t read the same on paper or a phone screen. But from within the spiral structure of the Guggenheim Museum, the words take on a hypnotic, higher power, painting Holzer’s wisdom in a mythical light. As her Biblical series returns to its rightful home, her words are just as relevant as they were nearly forty years ago, perhaps even more so. Light Line made its triumphant return on May 17 and is available to view until September 29.
Jenny Holzer For the Guggenheim, 2008. Light projections, dimensions variable. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Commissioned by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, in honor of Peter B. Lewis, 2008 2008.23 © 2024 Jenny Holzer, member Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Photo: Kristopher McKay © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York
Light Line features selections from Holzer’s original series, such as “Truisms” and “Inflammatory Essays.” These, alongside some of her paintings, stone pieces, and paper works from the 1970s to the present, give us a delectable spectacle of artistic brilliance from an artisan who can truly do it all. Her other works complement her LED landmark as side dishes of sorts, giving us further context to some of her words and phrasings, like a songwriter revealing their muse or inspiration. The exhibition is profoundly intimate, and with each step up the iconic Guggenheim ramp, we spiral further into the rabbit hole of our own minds.
Installation view, Jenny Holzer: Light Line, May 17–September 29, 2024, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. © 2024 Jenny Holzer, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: Ariel Ione Williams © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York
The obvious centerpiece of Light Line is the sprawling LED portion featuring Holzer’s uniquely sharp poetic brilliance—small sentences that pack the punch of a twelve-gauge shotgun blast. Seeing the aforementioned “Most People Aren’t Fit To Rule Themselves” line in supertitled brilliance makes the mantra all the more apparent, especially in our modern society. Looking at the political situation of 1989, there are certainly parallels to our current zeitgeist, but what if Holzer herself was looking ahead? Did she write with future generations in mind? “Much Was Decided Before You Were Born” certainly gives us this impression, reminding us to stay grounded and remember where we came from.
Jenny Holzer, Untitled (Selections from Truisms, Inflammatory Essays, The Living Series, The Survival Series, Under a Rock, Laments, and Child Text), 1989. Extended helical tricolor L.E.D. electronic-display signboard, site-specific dimensions. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Partial gift of the artist, 1989; Gift, Jay Chiat, 1995; and purchased with funds contributed by the International Director's Council and Executive Members, 89.3626. © 2023 Jenny Holzer. Photo: David Heald © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York
Not all art has to be so thought-provoking though; a line like “Mostly You Should Mind Your Own Business” injects Holzer’s humor and wit into the series. It’s uniquely her, and her entire exhibition is the result of a unique mind at work. She’s right, you should only mind your business. In our current world, we’re constantly occupied by other’s people’s lives through social media. The only people we should be connecting with are ourselves. Holzer brings us closer to our own hearts and makes us believe in our own truths. She restores us directly to our cores.
Photo Editor: Blake Sterling
Copy Editor: Olivia Dean
