Meaning: Sol LeWitt, an influential American artist associated with the conceptual art movement, once remarked, "The narrative of serial art works more like music than like literature." This quote encapsulates the essence of serial art as a form of visual expression that unfolds over time, much like a musical composition, rather than through a linear, narrative structure characteristic of literature. To understand the significance of this quote, it is essential to delve into the nature of serial art, its relationship with music, and its departure from conventional narrative forms in literature.

Serial art, also known as series art, refers to a body of work in which the artist creates a sequence of related or interconnected pieces. These pieces are often produced in a systematic and repetitive manner, with variations and permutations of a core concept or visual motif. The serial nature of the art allows for exploration and development of ideas across multiple iterations, creating a sense of continuity and evolution within the artist's body of work.

When LeWitt likened the narrative of serial art to music, he was drawing attention to the non-linear, non-verbal nature of both art forms. In music, the progression of notes, rhythms, and melodies unfolds in a temporal dimension, shaping an expressive and emotive narrative without the use of words. Similarly, in serial art, the visual elements and their arrangement create a narrative that unfolds through spatial and conceptual relationships, rather than through a traditional linear storyline. This parallel underscores the idea that serial art, like music, can evoke emotions, convey meaning, and engage the audience in a non-linguistic manner.

Furthermore, the comparison to literature highlights the distinctiveness of serial art as a narrative form. Unlike literature, which relies on language and sequential storytelling to convey its narrative, serial art communicates through visual elements and their arrangement. While literature often follows a linear progression of events and characters, serial art embraces a non-linear, multi-faceted approach, inviting viewers to engage with the interconnectedness and progression of the series as a whole.

LeWitt's quote also suggests that, like music, serial art possesses a dynamic quality that unfolds over time. When experiencing a series of artworks, viewers are invited to perceive the progression, variation, and repetition of visual elements, much like the development of themes and motifs in a musical composition. This temporal dimension adds depth and complexity to the narrative of serial art, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the evolving relationships and meanings embedded within the series.

In summary, Sol LeWitt's quote encapsulates the intrinsic qualities of serial art as a non-linear, multi-dimensional narrative form that shares affinities with music rather than literature. By drawing parallels between the temporal, non-verbal nature of serial art and music, and highlighting its departure from traditional narrative structures in literature, LeWitt's quote invites us to appreciate the unique expressive potential of serial art as a dynamic and immersive visual experience.