OCT. 11, 1980 (Today Series)
Painting on canvas • On Kawara (1932–2014)
Style & Movement
Conceptual Art, Minimalism
Medium & Technique
Liquitex acrylic on canvas with hand-painted white typography
Creation Period
October 11, 1980
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 13 inches (Size A); Landscape format
Subject Description
A monochromatic dark grey-blue background featuring the date 'OCT. 11, 1980' in white, centered sans-serif lettering. The work is part of Kawara's 'Today' series, where each painting records the date on which it was made. If a painting was not finished by midnight of that day, it was destroyed.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; typical for well-maintained gallery-quality conceptual works of this period.
Estimated Market Value
$400,000 - $700,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$350,000 - $600,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely from a major contemporary art collection or gallery specializing in Conceptualism (e.g., David Zwirner, Lisson Gallery). Usually accompanied by a custom-made storage box and a newspaper clipping from the date and city of origin.
Art Historical Significance
A cornerstone of Conceptual Art, the 'Today' series (started in 1966) explores the meditative passage of time, human existence, and the rejection of traditional artistic expression in favor of a linguistic, chronological record.
Notable Features
Signature hand-painted typography that mimics machine printing; part of a lifelong series that serves as a totalizing diary of the artist's life.
Condition Issues
No visible cracking or fading. The canvas tension appears stable and the pigment remains saturated and uniform.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Avoid direct UV exposure to prevent pigment degradation of the dark background. Use gloves for handling to avoid fingerprint oils on the matte acrylic surface.