10 lignes au hasard 1975

Francois Morellet's "10 lignes au hasard" presents us with a series of lines set against a neutral ground. Morellet was interested in stripping away the artist’s ego in art making by using mathematical systems. This piece invites us to consider chance and order, as well as how these opposing concepts might intersect. Morellet's work emerged in the postwar period, a time of rebuilding and re-evaluating social structures. His commitment to systematic abstraction can be seen as a response to the dominant modes of expression. There is a sense of freedom in the seeming randomness of the lines, which at the same time are regimented. The artwork also opens up questions around labor and intention. Is the artist's hand truly absent when a system dictates the outcome? How does the viewer's perception shift when they are aware of the process behind the art? Ultimately, the simplicity of "10 lignes au hasard" encourages contemplation on the role of the artist and the nature of artistic creation itself.