Colophon 1972

This work is a lithograph by Leonard Lehrer, created at the Tamarind Institute in Albuquerque between 1971 and 1972. At first glance, we notice a seemingly straightforward presentation: a block of text centered on a stark white field. Yet, this arrangement destabilizes our expectations. The text, typically subordinate to an image, takes center stage, challenging our perception of what constitutes a visual artwork. Lehrer, by foregrounding the textual description, invites us to consider the semiotic relationship between language and art. The very act of printing this colophon as an artwork prompts a reflection on authenticity and reproduction. Are we looking at a piece of art, or merely its description? Lehrer’s work challenges fixed categories, suggesting that art’s meaning emerges from the interplay between its material form and the conceptual frameworks we impose upon it. This piece transforms the descriptive into the aesthetic, prompting us to reconsider the boundaries of artistic expression.