John Baldessari's "Throwing Three Balls in the Air to Get a Straight Line (Best of Thirty-Six Attempts), 1973" is a seminal work in the history of conceptual art. This series of photographs encapsulates Baldessari's witty and thoughtful approach to art-making, challenging traditional notions of artistic creation, process, and the role of chance in art.
Conceptual Framework
In "Throwing Three Balls in the Air to Get a Straight Line," Baldessari engages with the idea of the artist's role as a creator and the unpredictable nature of the artistic process. The concept is simple: the artist attempts to throw three balls into the air to form a straight line. This task is repeated thirty-six times, and the best attempt is selected. By setting such a straightforward yet nearly impossible goal, Baldessari introduces a humorous critique of the arbitrary standards and expectations often imposed on artistic endeavors.
Artistic Process and Chance
The project underscores the interplay between control and randomness. Baldessari's deliberate act of throwing the balls and capturing the attempts with a camera suggests a controlled process. However, the outcome is largely left to chance, as the balls' trajectory in mid-air cannot be precisely determined or replicated. This embrace of chance reflects a broader trend in conceptual art during the 1960s and 1970s, where artists like Baldessari sought to dismantle the notion of art as a product of meticulous skill and genius, highlighting instead the role of unpredictability and spontaneity.
Aesthetic and Formal Elements
Visually, the series is composed of photographs that capture the balls suspended against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. The simplicity of the composition directs the viewer's attention to the formal qualities of line and space. Each photograph is a moment frozen in time, presenting a dynamic tension between movement and stillness. The balls, despite their ephemeral positions, are given a sense of permanence through the act of photography.
Humor and Critique
Humor is a critical component of Baldessari's work. The absurdity of the task-trying to achieve a straight line with balls in mid-air-invites the viewer to reflect on the often arbitrary and contrived nature of artistic criteria and achievements. Baldessari's title, specifying the "best of thirty-six attempts," further emphasizes the futility and playfulness of the endeavor. This humorous approach serves as a subtle critique of the art world's obsession with perfection, originality, and the valorization of the artist's hand.
