Lawrence Weiner’s Signifying Shooting Star

Here’s what you need to know to regale your friends about the merits of Lawrence Weiner’s STARS DONT STAND STILL IN THE SKY (2011):

1. One of the key figures in the development of conceptual art, Lawrence Weiner treats materials as a secondary consideration in his works, preferring to sculpt with words and ideas.

2. This piece, distinguished by the artist’s signature use of bold typography and deictic symbols derived from formal logic, picks up a phrase that he has used in previous works—“Stars don’t stand still in the sky”—and rendered it as a shooting star in an elegantly economic design of cast enamel.

3. A frequent participant in biennials and museum shows around the world, Weiner’s artistic breakthrough occurred in 1969 with the publication of his Statement of Intent, which reads, “1. The artist may construct the piece. 2. The piece may be fabricated. 3. The piece need not be built.”

4. Fabricated in collaboration with Artspace, this sculpture is notable for its beautiful craftsmanship and satisfying heft, and it comes in a custom linen portfolio box complete with screws for mounting it on the wall.